With the addition of electric train service on the Long Beach Branch Sunday, the LIRR is now operating a near-normal weekday and regular weekend schedule on all branches systemwide.
Starting Monday, Nov. 26, with the addition of the Long Beach electric service, the LIRR’s weekday schedule represents an average 80 percent of the LIRR’s regular rush hour capacity.
Twenty-six of the LIRR’s 143 morning rush hour trains will be canceled or diverted to another terminal. In the evening rush hour, of the 127 trains the LIRR operates, 27 will be canceled.
Overall, across the entire day, the adjustments provide for approximately 92 percent of normal weekday service capacity.
“The Long Island Rail Road’s Long Beach Branch was not spared the devastation that was brought upon Long Beach and the surrounding communities by Sandy,” Governor Cuomo said. “I commend the intensive efforts made by the LIRR to clean, repair and replace the critical components in the flood-damaged electrical substations and signal equipment to restore the vital transportation link the Railroad provides as these hard-hit communities begin to rebuild.”
Amtrak is continuing their work to make permanent repairs to the signal system in two of their East River tunnels flooded during the superstorm. The temporary repairs, which allowed the tunnels to be reopened earlier this month, reduces the number of trains that can travel through the tunnels. Amtrak estimates that the repair to the salt water-damaged signal system is not expected to be completed until the end of the year. The LIRR has been in close contact with Amtrak on the repair plan and effort.
As a result of the reduced tunnel capacity, the LIRR’s weekday schedule continues to include canceled and/or diverted trains during the morning and evening rush hours through the end of the year.
LIRR Customers Should Anticipate Crowding
Because service continues to be limited on weekdays, waits will be longer and trains will be more crowded. Customers are advised to allow extra travel time, expect 10-15 minute delays. In the evening rush hour, customers should expect crowded conditions in Penn Station. Customers are advised to stagger work hours and travel in off-peak hours, if possible, to help reduced crowding in the peak periods.
For More Information
Customers should monitor news reports, the MTA website, www.mta.info, and sign up for free E-Alerts for updates on LIRR service. Customers can also contact the LIRR's Travel Information Center by calling 511, the New York State Travel Information Line, and say: Long Island Rail Road. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service provider for the free 711 relay to reach LIRR at 511.
