LIRR full service to Grand Central Madison creates new challenges. MTA encourages patience
Manhattan, New York (WABC) — This week, the Long Island Rail Road began operating direct trains from Long Island to Grand Central Madison for the first time, but the schedule had unintended consequences that angered some passengers.
The images of Long Island commuters this week aren’t pretty, with jammed platforms in Jamaica and some trains being extremely crowded.
All due to the first major schedule shuffle in LIRR’s generation.
on monday, LIRR increased full commute schedule Long Island commuters have access to the East side for the first time at the sparkling new Grand Central Madison.
“We have very happy customers here in Grand Central Madison,” said LIRR President Kathy Rinaldi.
But Rinaldi admits that the MTA’s planners pulled too much service to Pennsylvania Station on the west side, causing trouble for customers who weren’t interested in the east side at all.
“Trains are short,” said commuter Emile Samuels. “It used to be a 10-car train, now it’s an 8-car train.
Already, the overcrowded trains have been extended with more cars, and from next week we will continue to adjust the schedule.
With only 70% of pre-pandemic peak passenger numbers and patterns seen everywhere, post-COVID feats are no small feat.
MTA management wants customers to be patient.
“One of the challenges is that we don’t see the same thing every day, so post-COVID Mondays and Fridays are quieter, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are a little busier,” Rinaldi said. What to do with a train that is very busy on Sunday and not at all on Wednesday?
New York Governor Kathy Hochul agreed.
“This is a temporary situation,” she said. “It’s a new adjustment, the first new station in over 100 years, so it’s going to take some time, but it’s very temporary.
All train schedules are train time app online at mta.info.
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https://abc7ny.com/lirr-troubles-train-schedule-grand-central-madison/12905475/ LIRR full service to Grand Central Madison creates new challenges. MTA encourages patience
