Record Set For On-Time Performance
For the second year in a row the LIRR has set an Annual On Time Performance (OTP) record. The 2008 total of 95.14% is the best record in 30 years, surpassing the previous high of 94.07% by more than a full percentage point. The new milestone was set while serving more customers and operating 1,368 more trains than during the previous year. "This is the second year in a row we have improved our on-time reliability, while seeing increases in ridership," said LIRR President Helena Williams. "Our entire workforce - 6,800 strong - deserves credit for reaching this goal.
A great railroad is like a great orchestra. All the players, all the sections, have to perform at their peak to produce great music. We know that being on time is music to our customers' ears and I am thankful for the dedication shown by all of our employees."
A record 95.43% OTP during the AM Peak led the way and our Off-Peak performance also contributed by setting a new record of 95.32% for the year.
Senior Vice President of Operations Raymond Kenny noted that continued improvements in the work performed by the employees of the Mechanical Department have resulted in fewer breakdowns and new records being set in equipment availability. "To meet the schedule and improve performance, you have to have enough trains available each day," Kenny said. "This has helped us achieve the record On Time Performance we experienced in 2008."
Executive Vice President Albert Cosenza also credited the LIRR's track and signal crews. "They make sure that critical communication equipment and the Railroad infrastructure - the running rails - are in good repair," Cosenza said.
"The work they do occurs behind the scenes. Most customers are unaware of their contributions but their efforts are critical to producing the record On Time Performance we set in 2008."

The New Lost&Found
Nearly 15,000 items are turned into our Lost&Found office every year. Recently, we established a new process designed to recover and return as many items as possible to our customers. The improved system requires your participation, cooperation and patience in following the required procedures.
While not all items are recovered or turned in to Lost&Found, you can improve your chances of being reunited with your missing item by visiting our homepage and clicking on the New! Lost&Found icon.


MLK Jr. Holiday Service
This year the nation observes Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday on Monday, January 19. The LIRR will operate on a modified weekend schedule for the holiday, adding a number of trains.
You can check for the details of your travels on the holiday in affected branch timetables, in the columns marked January 19 Only. They are available on the MTA Long Island Rail Road homepage in the News section, under Service Advisories, and in take-one bins at terminals and stations. Please Note: all tickets sold for travel on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be at Off-peak prices.

New Voices
Have you noticed that some new "special" voices are now making safety and courtesy announcements on your station loudspeakers?
Actor Alec Baldwin and Mike Lupica of the Daily News have been passing the good word for the last couple of months, and entertainment critic Jeffrey Lyons will be the next well-known voice to join those who have donated their time and talent thus far.
Rangers great Rod Gilbert, actress Lori Singer and boxing guru Bert Sugar are among those waiting to weigh in on the side of safe, courteous travel.

2009 Manhattan Getaways
For over 50 years now the LIRR has offered low-cost packages  to area attractions. This year we're offering 20 packages in Manhattan, including the 2009 Cycle World International Motorcycle Show from January 16 to 18 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center; the new BODIES ... The Exhibition; and the Sports Museum of America, both in Lower Manhattan. Get all the rewarding details on our website.

Email Alerts
The MTA and the LIRR have launched a more robust email and text messaging system that will notify registered customers of service disruptions at any of the MTA's family of transportation agencies, including the LIRR. Using our website, you can register to receive alerts on your cellphone or pda about any combination of subway lines, bus routes, rail lines, bridges or tunnels. You can choose to receive them 24/7, or only during a particular time of day or week.

We hope that among your resolutions is one
That addresses your shoes and your feets.
As you know we believe the place for both
Is the floor ... and not your train's seats.
True in the Spring, the Summer, the Fall
It's never more so than this season -
When Winter's dirt - mixed with snow, sleet and rain -
Makes the muck that serves as the reason.
So please leave your dogs, tho weary they be
On the floor with their dirt and their dust
The wisdom in this we're sure you'll see
And act thusly we hope ... and we trust.

BRANCH	AM Peak	PM Peak	Off- Peak	Total December 2008	Total December 2007
Babylon	95.5	93.7	95.8	95.4	94.9
Far Rockaway	95.9	99.5	98.8	98.5	98.2
Hicksville/Huntington	96.7	93.5	93.0	93.6	92.2
Hempstead	97.5	95.0	96.7	96.6	97.2
Long Beach	97.4	97.9	97.7	97.7	96.9
Montauk	92.1	91.6	95.3	94.5	92.8
Oyster Bay	94.8	93.9	96.3	95.8	92.3
Port Jefferson	91.5	94.8	86.8	88.7	89.5
Port Washington	95.2	98.1	97.7	97.4	95.7
Greenport/Ronkonkoma	92.9	90.9	94.1	93.4	92.3
West Hempstead	97.3	98.5	98.5	98.3	97.0
TOTAL	95.2	95.0	95.7	95.5	94.6

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