EXTREMELY LIMITED LIRR SERVICE WEEKENDS OF OCTOBER 23-24 AND NOVEMBER 6-7
Replacement of a critical signal system, which controls train traffic, will bring state-of-the-art technology to a key juncture in Jamaica. The Jamaica Signal Cutover Project will replace
1910-era signal technology with modern microprocessors. When completed, it will mean
fewer maintenance-related delays and better service for LIRR customers.

• Please allow an additional 70 minutes of travel time.
• We recommend using the LIRR for essential business travel only.
• To avoid busing and subway connections, those heading to the NYC Marathon should use the Babylon, Long Beach or Port Washington Branches for direct service to Penn Station.

Jamaica Station:

• Very limited service between Penn Station and Jamaica.
• Many customers will need to transfer to the E train, which will operate between Jamaica and Penn Station in both directions. Access to LIRR platforms at Jamaica will be limited.
• NYC Transit will cross-honor LIRR tickets on the E train.

There will be NO SERVICE to/from:

• Atlantic Terminal, East New York, Forest Hills, Hollis, New Hyde Park, Kew Gardens, Laurelton, Locust Manor, Merillon Avenue, Nostrand Avenue, Rosedale, St. Albans.

North Shore service:

• Hempstead Branch: Service to Queens Village will operate every 2 hours (reduced from hourly service). Buses will replace trains between Queens Village and Jamaica, with transfers to subway at Jamaica.
• Huntington trains: Service to Mineola will operate hourly (reduced from half-hourly). Buses will replace trains between Mineola and Jamaica, with transfers to subway at Jamaica.
• Oyster Bay Branch: Service to Mineola will operate every 2 hours. Buses will replace trains between Mineola and Jamaica, with transfers to subway at Jamaica.
• Port Jefferson Branch: Service to Huntington will operate every 2 hours (reduced from every 1½ hours ). Buses will replace trains between Mineola and Jamaica, with transfers to subway at Jamaica.
• Port Washington Branch: trains are not affected to/from Penn Station and will serve Woodside station. Regular hourly weekend service will be provided on both weekends.

South Shore service:

• Babylon Branch service reduced to hourly. Montauk Branch diesel trains will connect at Babylon.
• Far Rockaway Branch service originates/terminates at Valley Stream connecting with Long Beach trains.
• Hourly Long Beach Branch service to/from Penn Station.
• Ronkonkoma Branch trains will be rerouted to the south shore between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM. During the overnight hours, trains will operate to Mineola for bus/subway connection.

Pick up a special timetable/brochure or call the LIRR Travel Information Center at 718-217-LIRR. Thank you for your patience while we perform this critical infrastructure improvement.

 

New Schedule - November 15
A new schedule reflecting the completion, continuation and beginning of various LIRR track work projects will take effect on Monday, November 15. Copies of the new schedule, which runs through March 6, 2011, will be available in timetable racks at western terminals and stations around the system starting the week of November 8. A preview will also be available on the MTA Long Island Rail Road website.

The new schedule will include off peak schedule adjustments on the Far Rockaway, Hempstead, Long Beach, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma branches. The completion of track work on the Montauk Branch will result in the restoration of several midday, weekday trains. Please review the new schedules for details of the changes that may impact your travels.

 

Save The Tigers
Take the kids to the Tiger Exhibition at Pier 17 (South Street Seaport) for a high-tech, high-touch, true story about a wild tigress and her cubs. If you take the LIRR you can save $4 on tickets to the exhibition. Visit our website for details about the discount and the exhibit. (There are no live tigers within the exhibition.)

 

Beat Holiday Traffic ...
New York’s two big Holiday Shows, Wintuk – Cirque du oleil and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, will be starting in early November. These very special productions make for great family entertainment … and are worthy of becoming a holiday tradition for you and yours. The best way to beat the holiday traffic is to use the LIRR. Visit our website and you’ll find all the details you’ll need to enjoy both the Wintuk and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular shows … including discounted show tickets and free round-trip train tickets.

 

Falling Leaves Can Mean Slower Trains
The potential for Long Island’s annual slippery-rail conditions (aka: SlipSlide) have arrived, along with our efforts to neutralize those conditions and their impact on your trains. SlipSlide-ing occurs when train wheels crush leaves on our tracks, leaving an extremely slippery substance behind. We remove excess vegetation along our tracks, scour the rails, and then add an anti-slip agent in areas that have been identified as being affected by this problem. When these conditions exist, we must slow some trains. While that can make some of your trains a little late … it keeps you safe … and that’s our number one concern. Please see our video on this topic at our Facebook page.

 

OTP
The LIRR recognizes that our customers’ Number One Priority is to arrive on time at their destinations. A combination of internal and external factors – a hurricane, a tornado, and a fire at a key switching point in Jamaica – led to a slip in OTP so far this year. We are working each day to improve our performance. September’s OTP total was 92.37%.

BRANCH	AM Peak	PM Peak	Off- Peak	Total September 2010	Total September 2009
Babylon	90.6%	91.2%	92.5%	92.0%	95.6%
Far Rockaway	97.8%	94.2%	96.5%	96.4%	98.3%
Hicks/Huntington	92.7%	82.3%	92.2%	91.0%	95.1%
Hempstead	97.6%	93.1%	96.2%	96.0%	98.1%
Long Beach	95.8%	92.4%	96.2%	95.6%	94.9%
Montauk	94.0%	86.3%	86.4%	87.4%	93.5%
Oyster Bay	91.8%	87.3%	93.0%	92.0%	95.1%
Port Jeff	90.5%	86.4%	91.4%	90.6%	94.9%
Port Washington	93.9%	85.2%	91.0%	90.6%	94.9%
Greenpt/Ronkonk	90.5%	88.0%	91.4%	90.7%	94.6%
West Hempstead	90.5%	95.2%	98.0%	96.4%	97.7%
TOTAL	92.9%	88.9%	92.9%	92.4%	95.6%

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