Switch & Signal Upgrade Impacts Service October 24-25
A major modernization program that will bring state-of-the-art technology to an important LIRR switching point in Valley Stream will take place on the weekend of October 24-25, 2009. This work will require a 48-hour suspension of train service through Valley Stream. Customers should expect busing and some train diversions as the signal system that controls train traffic is upgraded to a new microprocessor unit. Schedules for impacted stations will be available on our website by October 15.
South Shore Branches Will Be Impacted
The project will impact the Babylon, Far Rockaway, Long Beach and West Hempstead branches. Montauk Branch trains will operate, but departure times will change. If you are planning to travel via the LIRR during this weekend, we recommend that you use a branch that will not be affected by the work (Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, Port Washington and Ronkonkoma).
You will be able to access the special schedules (dated October 24-25, 2009) on our website. The Valley Interlocking logo will appear on the cover of the timetables for those branches that are affected.
We want to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding while we complete this important project. The new system will mean fewer maintenance-related delays and better service for our customers.

Victory Train
On Saturday, September 26, the Railroad will run the Victory Train from Penn Station to Port Jefferson in support of the Mather-St. Charles Health Alliance 13th Annual Breast Cancer Victory Day. For details, please call 631-474-6030, or link to www.matherhospital.org/victory.

Flu Awareness
With the arrival of the flu season, we should be more considerate of one another than ever. Be sure to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze and cough … and take the time to thoroughly and frequently wash your hands.

Hurricane Preparedness
The hurricane season is here … Bill came close and Danny just missed … and no doubt, there are more to follow … so we’ll continue to work closely with emergency officials in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties on contingency plans. Area emergency officials have agreed that as a potentially dangerous storm approaches, it might become necessary to suspend LIRR service for safety’s sake. Should that time come, we will halt all service in order to protect our customers, employees and the Railroad’s assets. Under the plans, our so-called "zero hour" would arrive when storm winds in our area reach a sustained speed of 39 MPH. That’s why it is important for our customers to heed official storm warnings, and understand that the LIRR may not be available for last-minute evacuees.

Train To The FOOTBALL Game!
Starting this season, Giants and Jets fans can buy one ticket from an LIRR ticket machine/office that will allow them to combine the services of the LIRR and New Jersey Transit trains to get to the Meadowlands ... and some football! The MTA has coordinated its various    services with those provided by New Jersey Transit, and the round-trip ticket from Penn Station to the game costs just $7.75!
Get the details in our “Take the Train to the Game” brochure, which is available in Penn Station and other stations, and on our website.

The Titanic Package
The largest collection of Titanic artifacts and never-before-seen treasures is on display at the Discovery Times Square Exposition  … you won’t want to miss this exhibit. How can you "Journey back to 1912" … connect with history … and save money? Go to our Getaways & Packages page for the details.

Hunger Action Month
Please join the LIRR as we continue to help the needy during Hunger Action Month by donating non-perishable items like canned goods, personal needs items and school supplies on the Wednesdays of September. Bins will be located at these LIRR stations during the morning rush: Amityville, Babylon, Baldwin, Bellmore, Freeport, Hempstead, Hicksville, Huntington, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Manhasset, Massapequa, Merrick, Mineola, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Port Washington, Rockville Centre, Ronkonkoma, Syosset, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Westbury.

Rosh Hashanah Service
Extra service will be provided for Rosh Hashanah, with eight additional eastbound trains from Penn Station on Friday afternoon, September 18. See your schedule for the details, which include three trains each on the Babylon and Port Jefferson branches, plus one each for the Port Washington and Far Rockaway branches.

Belmont Special
The Belmont Park Fall Racing season  began on Friday, September 11 and continues through Sunday, October 25.  As always, the LIRR is the best way to get to the races. Want details about our service? … see our website.

August OTP (95.77%)
The On Time Performance (OTP) of 95.77% for August 2009 was the best ever for the month. This was the fourth time (April, May, June, August) we’ve managed to post a best-ever month this year.

BRANCH	AM Peak	PM Peak	Off- Peak	Total August 2009	Total August 2008
Babylon	98.0	94.8	95.2	95.7	95.3
Far Rockaway	98.3	95.2	98.4	98.0	98.8
Hicksville/Huntington	97.1	91.5	95.1	94.9	96.6
Hempstead	99.5	94.7	98.0	97.8	98.2
Long Beach	96.4	97.8	96.0	96.3	96.7
Montauk	97.6	89.8	89.4	90.5	93.1
Oyster Bay	95.9	91.3	97.4	96.3	94.4
Port Jefferson	98.2	93.2	96.4	96.3	91.7
Port Washington	96.8	96.0	95.4	95.7	94.9
Greenport/Ronkonk	98.2	91.8	95.0	95.1	93.3
West Hempstead	100.0	95.2	98.3	98.0	98.3
TOTAL	97.7	94.1	95.7	95.8	95.5

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