Staten Island Railway Autumn Service Advisory

Fallen Leaves May Slow SIR Service

Effective now through mid-December 2009, MTA Staten Island Railway (SIR) advises customers to allow extra travel time as trains may need to move at slower speeds due to fallen leaves on the tracks.

Fallen leaves, when crushed by moving trains, leave a slippery residue on the running rails. This residue may affect the train's ability to move and stop. In order to ensure safe operation, trains may operate at reduced speeds and/or operate at slower than normal speeds while entering or leaving stations.

"Crushed leaves present us with one of our biggest seasonal operational challenges," said John G. Gaul, Chief Officer of the Staten Island Railway. "It's an industry-wide problem for rail systems that operate outdoors in highly vegetated areas made worse by such conditions as light rain or morning dew." While some delays are expected, missed Staten Island Ferry connections are rare. However since it may result in longer ride times, customers should allow for additional travel time.

For travel directions and inquiries, customers may call NYC Transit's Travel Information Center at 718-330-1234 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily or log on at www.mta.info for service advisories.

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