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New York Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
MTA's claims of 40% boost in LIRR service derailed by new audit— with nearly half of new trains never leaving Brooklyn
The MTA's claims that it boosted Long Island Rail Road service by more than 40% with the launch of the Grand Central Madison station is being derailed by a new state audit. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's report examined LIRR post-pandemic ridership — between January 2021 and November 2023 — and looked into the period both before and after the $11 billion Grand Central Madison station, the LIRR's newest Manhattan stop, which opened in early 2023. While the MTA touted a 41% spike in the number of LIRR trains operating each day — from 665 to 936 daily — the late May audit found the actual increase was more like 23%, noting the stats were padded by nearly half of those additional service trains making short shuttle runs between Jamaica and Brooklyn. Advertisement 5 While the MTA touted a 41% spike in the number of LIRR trains operating each day, the late May audit found the actual increase was more like 23%. Christopher Sadowski The additional service runs were meant to help slash commute times and increase the flow of riders from across Long Island into the Big Apple. Instead, the audit found riders experienced the opposite — excessive delays and longer commutes. 'Some passengers may have been required to change their travel times, increasing wait times and adding more steps to their trips where direct service was eliminated,' the audit found, also citing the LIRR's poor job of applying customer feedback to their service changes. Advertisement 5 The additional service runs were meant to help slash commute times and increase the flow of riders from across Long Island into the Big Apple. Gregory P. Mango The MTA disputed the findings in a statement to The Post, claiming it counted additional trains in service between Penn Station and Jamaica but 'discounted 118 additional trains to East New York, Nostrand Avenue and Atlantic Terminal, important stations in the City Terminal Zone.' 'Ridership has grown 10 percent over the last year, and riders … are enjoying more trains and reverse-commuting options that didn't exist before,' the statement added. 'And at a time when the number of available East River tunnels is being reduced for repairs, Grand Central Madison delivers operational flexibility to ensure Long Islanders can get where they need to go.' Advertisement 5 Instead, the audit found riders experienced the opposite — excessive delays and longer commutes. Anthony Behar/Sipa USA LIRR president Robert Free also pushed back on DiNapoli's findings and pointed to a recent spike in ridership and a 'post-pandemic record' in customer satisfaction as signs that many commuters were on board with the plan rolled out in conjunction with the opening of Grand Central Madison, according to Newsday. The additional Brooklyn trains were defended by MTA policy chief John McCarthy, who said they still serve an important role for riders — since Brooklyn is located on Long Island — and noted it's not uncommon for some LIRR trains to start or end at Jamaica. 5 LIRR president Robert Free also pushed back on DiNapoli's findings and pointed to a recent spike in ridership. Seth Gottfried Advertisement But Peter Haynes, a former LIRR systems project specialist, was 'glad to see' the agency get called out, he told the outlet. 'The railroad has a very long history of counting trains and equipment, rather than people,' said Haynes, who is also the founder of the advocacy group, The LIRR Commuters Campaign. 'So I'm not … surprised that someone has finally noticed that passenger experience is really not being addressed at all.' 5 Peter Haynes, a former LIRR systems project specialist, was 'glad to see' the agency get called out, he told the outlet. Brandon Cruz / NY Post Jeremy Burd, a lighting-designer who frequently travels from Long Island to Penn Station for work, told The Post that he opts for the simpler route, which often has him avoiding Grand Central Madison. 'It's usually just easier to go to Penn,' Burd said. 'I just wish they would lower the fare, but that will never happen.' DiNapoli's office issued several recommendations aimed at improving transparency and rider engagement, including developing a formal system to manage commuter feedback. 'It's my hope that this audit provides some constructive insights into ways to improve how LIRR riders' concerns are handled and their riding experience enhanced,' DiNapoli said in a statement.
Bloomberg
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
NY's LIRR and Metro-North to Get More Than 300 New Rail Cars
New York City area commuters who ride the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad are poised to get hundreds of new rail cars, but they'll have to wait a few years. The finance committee of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the two commuter lines along with the city's subways and buses, has approved the purchase of 316 new passenger cars — with 160 earmarked for the LIRR and 156 for Metro-North, according to a Monday press release from Governor Kathy Hochul.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Grand Central shuts down as fire sparks massive emergency response
Three people have been injured in a fire at New York City's Grand Central Station, as the blaze sparked a huge emergency response during morning rush hour. FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said two firefighters and one civilian were treated for 'non life-threatening injuries' after an inferno broke out in the iconic station's basement at around 8.15am on Tuesday. 'It took several hours and about a hundred or more firefighters to locate an electrical fire in the deep basement along the 300-level tracks of the Long Island Rail Road,' Tucker told a press conference at midday. He said firefighters battled through 'heavy smoke' and the blaze has now been extinguished. It's unclear what the electrical fault was which caused the fire. It sparked widespread travel chaos as several train lines were suspended and roads surrounding Manhattan's 42nd Street and Park Avenue were closed off. The MTA's Long Island Rail Road X account said several branches have been diverted from Grand Central to Atlantic Terminal due to the blaze. More than 750,000 people travel through Grand Central Terminal each day, and the vaulted marble station is also a major tourist attraction. Seven New York City subway lines pass through Grand Central via 67 tracks and 44 platforms, along with three Metro-North railroad lines and the LIRR. The FDNY shared photographs of firefighters gathering on one platform, and of responders using a flashlight to peer down a tunnel at a stopped train. Tucker said firefighters were confronted by lashing flames and 'zero visibility'. He praised the response and said he was grateful that no one had been severely hurt. 'NYC Emergency Management and FDNY remain on site, and ventilation fans are in operation to clear smoke,' NYUC Emergency Management said. 'The situation is developing, and further changes to service may occur as emergency response continues.' According to the LIRR, eight branches have been re-routed or suspended.
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Fire shuts down Grand Central with ‘mass' cancelations as 100 firefighters rush in to battle flames and smoke
OVER 100 firefighters have rushed to Grand Central after fire and smoke filled the station, halting all trains. Trains have been suspended, streets blocked, and emergency responders are flooding the scene after thick smoke was spotted in the train station in New York City. 3 A two-alarm fire broke out at Grand Central Terminal Credit: X/FDNY 3 The fire and smoke led to widespread disruptions on the Long Island Rail Road Credit: X/FDNY 3 Trains were suspended at Grand Central Terminal The disruption has unfolded near Grand Central Place in Midtown Manhattan, officials said. The New York City Fire Department confirmed it received the first report of smoke at 8:08 am. Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene to control the smoke pouring out of the tunnel. FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker later confirmed four people were hurt, three firefighters and one civilian. Tucker said crews faced 'zero visibility' as they searched through thick smoke for the flames. 'There was a significant amount of fire in the room where the fire started,' he said during a press update. Initially, 60 firefighters responded to the emergency, according to officials. But the response escalated quickly as the situation worsened inside the tunnel. By 10:16 am, a second alarm had been transmitted, bringing the total to more than 100 emergency responders, both firefighters and EMS, at the scene. Authorities are warning travelers to avoid the area and brace for major delays. Dad and daughter, 9, die in house fire as sister, 11, fighting for life in hospital The FDNY said to "expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions & emergency personnel" around the station and instructed people to use alternate routes if they can. 'Use alternate routes,' they added. The Long Island Rail Road was hit hard by the emergency response. Port Washington Branch service into Grand Central was suspended due to the fire activity, MTA said. Train Lines Affected Babylon City Terminal Zone Hempstead Far Rockaway Port Jefferson Port Washington Ronkonkoma West Hemptead Other lines saw westbound trains canceled at Jamaica Station or rerouted to Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal. 'Service in and out of Grand Central has been suspended,' the MTA confirmed. According to the LIRR, eight branches were dealing with suspensions or reroutes as of 11 am. There are reroutes and cancellations on the Babylon Branch due to ongoing fire department activity at Grand Central. Subway lines began cross-honoring LIRR fares to ease the morning rush. As of 11 am, firefighters were still working at the scene, according to the FDNY. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Fire shuts down Grand Central with ‘mass' cancelations as 100 firefighters rush in to battle flames and smoke
OVER 100 firefighters have rushed to Grand Central after fire and smoke filled the station, halting all trains. Trains have been suspended, streets blocked, and emergency responders are flooding the scene after thick smoke was spotted in the train station in New York City. Advertisement 1 Trains were suspended at Grand Central Terminal The disruption has unfolded near Grand Central Place in Midtown Manhattan, officials said. The New York City Fire Department confirmed it received the first report of smoke at 8:08 am. Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene to control the smoke pouring out of the tunnel. FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker later confirmed four people were hurt, three firefighters and one civilian. Advertisement Tucker said crews faced 'zero visibility' as they searched through thick smoke for the flames. 'There was a significant amount of fire in the room where the fire started,' he said during a press update Initially, 60 firefighters responded to the emergency, according to officials. But the response escalated quickly as the situation worsened inside the tunnel. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Breaking Live Blog By 10:16 am, a second alarm had been transmitted, bringing the total to more than 100 emergency responders, both firefighters and EMS, at the scene. Authorities are warning travelers to avoid the area and brace for major delays. Dad and daughter, 9, die in house fire as sister, 11, fighting for life in hospital The FDNY said to "expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions & emergency personnel" around the station and instructed people to use alternate routes if they can. 'Use alternate routes,' they added. Advertisement The Long Island Rail Road was hit hard by the emergency response. Port Washington Branch service into Grand Central was suspended due to the fire activity, MTA said. Train Lines Affected Babylon City Terminal Zone Hempstead Far Rockaway Port Jefferson Port Washington Ronkonkoma West Hemptead Other lines saw westbound trains canceled at Jamaica Station or rerouted to Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal. 'Service in and out of Grand Central has been suspended,' the MTA confirmed. Advertisement According to the LIRR, eight branches were dealing with suspensions or reroutes as of 11 am. There are reroutes and cancellations on the Babylon Branch due to ongoing fire department activity at Grand Central. Subway lines began cross-honoring LIRR fares to ease the morning rush. As of 11 am, firefighters were still working at the scene, according to the FDNY. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
