LI Pols Call For Restored LIRR Service Amid Crowding Concerns

WASHINGTON, DC — Long Island politicians called on the Long Island Rail Road to restore cut service after overcrowded conditions had irate customers slamming the agency on social media Monday.

The LIRR attributed crowding to sporadic and isolated incidents that could have been avoided by commuters moving to another train car with fewer riders, and officials said they would continue to monitor the ridership and address train capacity where needed. Ten trains were added on Tuesday between the Babylon, Hempstead, Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma lines.

U.S. Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) called the images seen throughout social media “deeply disturbing,” featuring “over packed cars with barely any standing room.” He also aired several concerns in a letter he sent to Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng that included the images.

“COVID-19 remains a serious threat and the LIRR must continue to take every precaution to stop the spread of the virus, including social distancing,” he wrote. “This is the wrong time to foster overcrowding.”

He went on to say that “consistent and reliable service schedules are critical for the health of the state and local economy, particularly for essential workers who put themselves at risk every day."

Suozzi noted that he and his colleagues in Congress supported federal aid for the MTA/LIRR to prevent “drastic service cuts like the one implemented this week,” by securing $8 billion in aid in the CARES Act, a well as a December spending package, and will likely sign off on another relief package with $6.5 billion in Metropolitan Transportation Authority relief.

“It is the LIRR’s responsibility to balance coronavirus public safety, increased demand, and financial security,” he said. “Please reexamine your service cuts immediately.”

Others also called on the LIRR to restore its old schedule.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky’s office began collecting photographs from riders and invited commuters to weigh in on a Facebook post. On Tuesday, he addressed the LIRR, telling officials: “This still stinks,” he wrote. “A few fixes are not the answer. Bring back the old schedule.”

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said in a Facebook post that reducing rail service “makes no sense,” with a letter asking MTA Chairman Pat Foye to reverse the cuts.

“We are turning the corner on [COVID-19],” she wrote. “As more and more residents are vaccinated and as our economy finally opens up, we need to encourage ridership back on the rails.”

Reducing service options at such a “critical juncture will have the negative consequence of discouraging rail commutation and prolonging our economic recovery,” she said.

Eng on Tuesday called Suozzi’s feedback invaluable and said all the information he supplied is being considered. “We look forward to being responsive to the congressman, as we continue to review all of our service needs,” he said. “The adjustments we have made have dramatically addressed and redistributed those isolated trains.”

He said the agency will continue to look at the ridership and riders’ needs and will continue to make adjustments.

Eng said he considers Curran a strong advocate and will work closely with her as well as riders to figure how best to adjust and how to best meet the needs of the riders.