Queens Interlocking Switch & Signal Improvements



Dear LIRR Customers:

The LIRR will launch an important summer project in the coming weeks that will improve service but also will impact your commute. Beginning June 16th, we will start upgrading our switch technology at a track point between Queens Village and Bellerose, with a scheduled completion date of September 1st. By installing state-of-the art technology and switches in this essential section of the Railroad, our customers will enjoy a smoother ride and fewer maintenance-related track outages. The project represents a major investment ($60.4 million) on the part of the LIRR to ensure greater reliability and comfort.

This work will involve significant schedule changes while the project is underway, including AM and PM Peak train cancellations on the Hempstead, Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma branches - and schedule adjustments throughout the system. Please watch for other informational items to follow and be sure to pick up new branch timetables for changes to your regular schedules.

I want to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding while we complete this important project. The LIRR - already the largest commuter Railroad in North America - is striving to be the best as well and is committed to completing this work as safely and quickly as possible while limiting its impact on your commute and the communities we serve.

Sincerely,

Helena E. Williams
President - MTA Long Island Rail Road

AM Peak Changes
Hempstead Branch
The 7:23 AM Hempstead to Flatbush Avenue train will be cancelled. Alternate service at stations Hempstead through Stewart Manor and Bellerose will be available 13 minutes earlier or 18 minutes later. Service from Floral Park, Queens Village and Hollis will be available between 3 and 4 minutes earlier.

Port Jefferson Branch
Several AM Peak trains will have their schedules, routes and connections altered. Review your schedule for details.

PM Peak Changes
Ronkonkoma Branch
The 4:34 PM Flatbush Avenue to Ronkonkoma train will be cancelled. The 4:24 PM train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma will have a stop at Jamaica added.

Hempstead Branch
The 6:14 PM Flatbush Avenue to Hempstead train will terminate at Garden City with bus service to Country Life Press and Hempstead, extend travel time by up to 15 minutes. Other PM Peak Hempstead, Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma and Oyster Bay Branch trains will have stops added and deleted and as a result have longer running times.

Other Branches
Other branches will have AM Peak service affected, including Ronkonkoma and Oyster Bay. Schedules will be shifted and running times will change. Review your schedule for changes to your trains.

Off Peak - Weekdays & Weekends
Off-Peak periods (middays, overnights and weekends) will see a wide variety of schedule adjustments ... and customers are strongly encouraged to review the new schedules for changes to their usual trains. Due to their connections in Jamaica or at western terminals, even trains on branches that do not travel through the construction area will be affected.

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LIRRCC President's Forum
Do you have a question, concern or suggestion for Long Island Rail Road management? If so, on Wednesday, May 14, you'll have the opportunity to deliver it directly to the top. On that day the Long Island Rail Road Commuters' Council will hold its annual President's Forum, and this year it will be conducted in the street-level lobby of the AirTrain JFK building next to Jamaica Station. President Helena Williams will make a presentation covering some of the current developments and issues facing the LIRR, then respond to questions and comments. For more information, contact the LIRR Commuters' Council at (212) 878-7087 or visit their website.

Memorial Day
Memorial Day, commemorating the men and women who have died in the service of their country, falls on Monday, May 26 this year. Memorial Day Weekend getaway trains will run on Friday, May 23. See your schedules for the details.

Hamptons Service
Many experienced East End travelers make reservations on the Hamptons Reserve ... two cars offering special service on our premier express Friday afternoon train, The Cannonball. A reservation guarantees a seat on our bi-level air-conditioned coaches, and LIRR attendants will serve beverages and snacks during your trip Call the reservation line at 718-558-8070 Our Hamptons Coach Service is also available Pick up one of our special Hamptons/ Montauk timetables at the LIRR's terminals, or go to our Hamptons Service page.

"Banish them," demand the aggrieved.
"No phones onboard whatsoever!"
Phones confiscated, abusers heaved -
Communications with sound we should sever.
"Get Blackberried," they say, "and use your thumbs"
To discuss whatever can't wait
They just want peace on a train that hums
Not the details of someone's last date.
And to an extent, we must agree
Cell phoning does tend to intrude
And the content OyVey, ByGosh, GolleeGee
Too personal, sad ... even crude.
Have personal stuff you've just got to share?
Try 'texting' the details ... to people who care.

Monthly OTP
April's AM Peak On Time Performance of 98.35%, was the highest AM Peak on record .. and the month of April came in as the second-best April ever at 95.97%.

BRANCH	AM Peak	PM Peak	Off- Peak	Total April 2008	Total April 2007
Babylon	98.9	96.4	96.9	97.2	93.7
Far Rockaway	99.6	95.5	97.8	97.8	96.8
Hicksville/Huntington	98.5	94.5	94.7	95.2	94.6
Hempstead	98.8	94.4	96.2	96.4	96.7
Long Beach	98.9	95.5	96.7	96.9	95.0
Montauk	97.2	95.5	96.4	96.4	94.5
Oyster Bay	97.4	89.4	94.1	94.0	94.2
Port Jefferson	95.5	96.1	93.3	94.1	93.8
Port Washington	99.2	94.7	95.0	95.5	94.0
Greenport/Ronkonkoma	97.2	95.8	92.1	93.6	91.7
West Hempstead	98.2	95.5	97.7	97.4	96.7
TOTAL	98.4	95.2	95.6	96.0	94.5

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