Anybody work on Riker's Island? (live in, bus, airport)

[wanderlost]

I'm considering a potential job offer to work for the City Health Dept working out of Riker's Isand. Can anyone offer any info on what it's like commuting there...is it true you can only get there by car?
Overall, how is it as a place to work?

[009]

I know there's 2 parking lots. One in the island and one before you cross the bridge to get there.

I've heard that visitors that have cars would park it in the lot before the bridge, then hop on a bus to the island. The one on the island is for employees, I would assume.

By public transit, you would have to take the Q101R to get there. It runs from Queens Plaza to Rikers and only has 3 stops, Queens Plaza, the stop before getting on the bridge and mainland Rikers.

[baylovers]

There's an express bus that runs there... but it usually requires handcuffs.

[Hustla718]

You have to take the bus from the Queens side. Commute sucks.

Nice place. The NY Times calls it "Up and Coming".

[Bx168]

The only way to get onto to Rikers Island is over the conecting bridge from Queens (near LaGuardia Airport). If you are an employee you will be issued a parking pass (placard), and I.D. that will allow you to pass over the bridge and park in the employee lot. Then you have to go through the control bldg. where your I.D. is checked again. In the rear of the Bldg is a bus depot where you catch a route bus to whatever facility you are going to. Walking around the Island is prohibited. If you dont have a car you can get picked up by other Officers or employees by standing at the corner before the entrance to the bridge with your I.D. out, Officers with thier shields out.

There is a Queens surface bus that goes over the bridge and stops in front of the control bldg. I'd take that as a last resort because it's mostly used by family members of inmates. They however go in to a different bldg. than the control bldg.

If you don't have a car you can also take the M60 from 125th street it goes to Laguardia Airport. If you get off right before the airport its a short walk to the Island, about 5 to 10 minutes. The walk is the route most people drive so you could get picked up and driven in.

Geting to work will be very costly if you live in the Bronx. The tolls!

[cjogger50]

I have a question..I recently offered a position at Rikers Island...but is the pension plan a good one? 20 years to retire but are there real benefits?

[DoomDan515]

Originally Posted by wanderlost

I'm considering a potential job offer to work for the City Health Dept working out of Riker's Isand. Can anyone offer any info on what it's like commuting there...is it true you can only get there by car?
Overall, how is it as a place to work?

You have to take the Q101R to get there. It runs fairly often but only stops at its first and last stop. Whenever I see on on 21 Street it's always empty.

[FrancieNolan]

There is def a bus. I know a woman who did temp work there . Easy from Western Queens (LIC or Astoria)

[mc33433]

I have a friend that works at Rikers. He (at least used to) ride his motorcycle there and park. He seemed content with his job - I never asked too many questions about it honestly.