Happy New Year!
I wanted to take this moment to wish all of my readers a Happy New Year! I hope that 2009 is your best year in every way you could hope for & imagine. Thanks for all of your support!
- New Jersey Transit Meet The Meadowlands…..
- Farewell & Goodnight
- Police Officer Annmarie Marchiondo Leaves Bronx Hospital
- TSTC Wants You To Help Support “ARC”
- Excuse Me Mr.
LIRR New Year’s Eve/Day Service Information
Let me first apologize for not posting this information sooner. The LIRR originally sent this e-mail out to those on their press list 8 days ago. I’m usually on top of sharing the latest info with my readers before they post it publicly. Anyhow, here are the complete details:
The MTA Long Island Rail Road will provide additional trains to and from Penn Station for the New Year’s holiday. The extra service includes 13 additional eastbound afternoon trains on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31; 18 additional westbound evening trains on New Year’s Eve and 14 additional eastbound trains from Penn Station on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1.
The LIRR will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Friday, January 2.
Off-peak fares will be in effect for the entire weekend (January 1-January 4). The special Family Fare Program will also be in effect this long weekend where up to four children ages 5-11 can ride for the advance purchase fare of 75-cents each when accompanied by fare-paying parent or guardian. Weekly and monthly ticket holders just pay for the kids. Children under 5 ride free.
As in prior years, alcohol will not be allowed on LIRR trains, stations and platforms on New Year’s Eve and through the morning on New Year’s Day. MTA Police will enforce this restriction.
The 13 additional early afternoon eastbound trains (from Penn Station) on New Year’s Eve are as follows:
Wednesday, December 31, New Year’s Eve
Eastbound (12:55 PM-3:48 PM)Ronkonkoma Branch:
• 12:55 PM stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville and all stops to Ronkonkoma.
• 1:55 PM stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville and all stops to Ronkonkoma.
—-
Babylon Branch:
• 1:30 PM express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon.
• 1:52 PM stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon.
• 2:12 PM express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon.
• 2:22 PM express to Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon.
• 3:00 PM stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon.
• 3:31 PM express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon.
The 5:59 PM from Penn Station to Babylon will not operate on New Year’s Eve. Customers will be accommodated by the 6:05 PM from Penn Station, which will make all stops from Merrick to Babylon on New Year’s Eve.
—-
Port Jefferson Branch (to Huntington):
• 2:09 PM stopping at Jamaica, Carle Place, then all stops to Huntington.
• 2:26 PM stopping at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Huntington.
• 3:24 PM stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville.
—-
Port Washington Branch (to Great Neck):
• 3:40 PM stopping at Woodside, Flushing-Main Street, then all stops to Great Neck.
—-
Far Rockaway Branch:
• 3:48 PM stopping at Locust Manor, Laurelton, Rosedale, Valley Stream, then all stops to Far Rockaway.
——–
The 18 additional evening westbound trains (to Penn Station) on New Year’s Eve are as follows:
Wednesday, December 31, New Year’s Eve
Westbound (4:55 PM-8:39 PM)Port Jefferson Branch:
• Leave Huntington at 4:55 PM, stopping at Cold Spring Harbor, Syosset, Hicksville, Jamaica and Penn Station.
• Leave Hicksville at 6:59 PM, making all stops to Jamaica and Penn Station.
• Leave Port Jefferson at 7:10 PM, making all stops to Huntington, then Hicksville, Jamaica and Penn Station.
• Leave Hicksville at 7:33 PM, making all stops to Jamaica, then Penn Station.
• Leave Huntington at 7:35 PM, making all stops to Jamaica, then Penn Station.
• Leave Huntington at 8:29 PM, making all stops to Jamaica, then Penn Station.
—-
Babylon Branch:
• Leave Babylon at 6:23 PM, making all stops to Rockville Centre, then Jamaica and Penn Station.
• Leave Freeport at 7:24 PM, stopping at Baldwin, Rockville Centre, then Jamaica and Penn Station.
• Leave Babylon at 8:02 PM, making all stops to Rockville Centre, then Jamaica and Penn Station.
—-
Montauk Branch:
• Leave Speonk at 8:30 PM, making all stops to Babylon, then Jamaica and Penn Station.
—-
Port Washington Branch:
• Leave Great Neck at 7:07 PM, making all stops to Woodside, then Penn Station.
• Leave Port Washington at 8:36 PM, making all stops to Woodside, then Penn Station.
—-
Long Beach Branch:
• Leave Long Beach at 5:57 PM, making all stops to Lynbrook, Valley Stream, then Jamaica and Penn Station.
• Leave Long Beach at 7:23 PM, making all stops to Lynbrook, Valley Stream, then Jamaica and Penn Station.
• Leave Long Beach at 8:15 PM, making all stops to Lynbrook, Valley Stream, then Jamaica and Penn Station.
—-
Hempstead Branch:
• Leave Hempstead at 6:48 PM, making all stops to Jamaica, then Penn Station.
—-
Ronkonkoma Branch:
• Leave Ronkonkoma at 7:42 PM, making all stops to Wyandanch, then Farmingdale, Bethpage, Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica, then Penn Station.
• Leave Ronkonkoma at 8:39 PM, making all stops to Wyandanch, then Farmingdale, Bethpage, Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica, then Penn Station.
——–
The 14 additional eastbound trains (from Penn Station) on New Year’s Day are as follows:
Thursday, January 1, New Year’s Day
Eastbound (12:42 AM-4:17 AM)Port Washington Branch:
• 12:42 AM stopping at Woodside, Flushing-Main St., then all stops to Port Washington.
• 2:19 AM stopping at Woodside, Flushing-Main St., then all stops to Port Washington.
• 4:17 AM stopping at Woodside, Flushing-Main St., then all stops to Port Washington.—-
Long Beach Branch:
• 2:44 AM stopping at Jamaica, Valley Stream, Lynbrook, then all stops to Long Beach.—-
Ronkonkoma Branch:
• 12:45 AM stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, then all stops to Ronkonkoma.
• 2:03 AM stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, then all stops to Ronkonkoma.
• 3:54 AM stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, then all stops to Ronkonkoma.
—-
Port Jefferson Branch:
• 2:14 AM stopping at Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Huntington.
• 3:12 AM stopping at Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Port Jefferson.
—-
Babylon Branch:• 1:10 AM stopping at Jamaica, Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon.
• 2:10 AM stopping at Jamaica, Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon.
• 2:59 AM stopping at Jamaica, Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon.
• 3:29 AM stopping at Jamaica, Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon.
—-
Montauk Branch:
• 1:29 AM stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all stops to Speonk.
I suggest printing this entry out to have with you as you enjoy your New Years Eve celebrations.
xoxo Transit Blogger
- LIRR To Provide Extra Trains For The Eve Of Rosh Hashanah
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- LIRR To Offer Extra Service For The Start Of Labor Day Weekend
- LIRR Increases Service For Independence Day
- LIRR To Provide Extra Trains For Thanksgiving Holiday
Fare Policy Memorandum
Yesterday, the MTA updated the “Proposed Administrative Actions/Fares/Service/Station Changes” page with a fare policy memorandum from Chief Financial Officer Gary J. Dellaverson. Here is a link to the .pdf of the memo which shows the details of different fare hike proposals: Fare Policy Memorandum
While I do not want to see any fare hike, I understand it is inevitable. If I had to choose one of the proposals as the right one to go with it, I would have to reluctantly choose Ravitch Proposal #2 as it does the best job of spreading the fare hike across all riders instead of unfairly attacking a specific rider niche. I especially like the fact it keeps the 30 day unlimited under the century mark for riders such as myself. In case you were wondering why I am reluctant on the Ravitch Proposal, it mainly lies with the fact I think the committee’s proposals are not exactly financially sound ideas. You can view my thoughts here.
- Speaking Of Numbers…..
- $1.50 Off Peak Fare A Sham?
- Ehh $2.25……
- Huge Fare Increases For Express Bus & Access-A-Ride Riders?
- Straphangers Campaign Calls Out The Government
Mass Transit To Be Stimulated
In my opinion, one of the key issues ignored in the past election was how the federal government could better invest in mass transit. I watched every single debate hoping to get some sort of an answer besides anything auto related. Unfortunately I was letdown each time. However in researching the candidates, it was easy to tell which administration would be more transit friendly. So it comes as no surprise to find out that the President-elect is working on an economic stimulus package that would invest $20 billion in mass transit. Sally Goldenberg of the New York Post has more in this report:
The city’s delayed mass-transit projects will get a cash boost from President-elect Barack Obama’s economic-stimulus package, two New York lawmakers announced yesterday.
Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who are working with Obama’s transition team on details of the stimulus package through their leadership roles in Congress, said the state is expected to get $4 billion - most of it slated for mass-transit capital projects in the metro area.
“This stimulus could be a lifesaver for New York’s mass-transit system,” said Nadler, a senior member of the House Transportation Committee.
Obama’s package is likely to allocate $20 billion to mass transportation nationwide, and New York historically has received one-fifth of national mass-transit funds, Schumer said.
Click here for the complete report.
This is exactly the kind of investment our federal government needs to make to make sure our transit infrastructure is strong. I seriously hope this is just the beginning of such investments from this administration!
xoxo Transit Blogger
- NY Times Editorial - Obama Must Make Transit A Priority
- $210 Million Grant Approved For LIRR East Side Access Project
- Senator Clinton Goes To Bat For Mass Transit
- Federal Government Is Getting Serious On Mass Transit Financing
- 2 Hour Train Ride Between NYC & D.C. Coming Soon?
Service Diversions 12-27
I have just updated the service diversions page with the latest scheduled diversions for this weekend & next week (and beyond in some cases). Don’t forget to check in for any changes to the page. I also suggest printing out a copy of the page to use while riding the system. Have a safe & wonderful weekend!
P.S. Stay warm!
- The MTA Wants You To “Know Before You Go”
- Feeling The Heat
- Question Of The Week 09-24-07 - 09-30-07
- Question Of The Week 10/15/07 - 10/21/07
- Jamaica Bottleneck Editorial
Merry Christmas!
I wanted to take this time to wish all my readers a MERRY CHRISTMAS! If you do not celebrate Christmas, I wish you a merry holiday regardless of what you celebrate. I hope you have a safe & wonderful day!
xoxo ho ho ho Transit Blogger
- LIRR Service Reminder
- LIRR To Provide Extra Trains For Christmas Holiday Weekend
- Staten Island Railway Christmas Eve Service
- The Rockettes Team Up With The LIRR For 2 Holiday Trains
- Metro-North Increases Train Service This Holiday Season
The 5 Produces More Of The Same
Dyre Avenue bound 5 train leaving the Morris Park station. Resized photo courtesy of Eye On Transit.
So it is back to Rider Report Card entries for me. Just a short while ago I talked about the M. Now it is 
’s turn which produced more of the same in 2008. The line finished with an overall grade of C- which matches its result from 2007. Lets get straight to the breakdown:
5 Train Riders’ Top 10 Priorities; 2007 priority rank will be in ( ):
01. Minimal delays during trips (1)
02. Reasonable wait times for trains (2)
03. Adequate room on board at rush hour (3)
04. Cleanliness of stations (5)
05. Station announcements that are easy to hear (4)
06. Sense of security in stations (7)
07. Sense of security on trains (6)
08. Comfortable temperature in subway cars (8)
09. Train announcements that are easy to hear (9)
10. Cleanliness of subway cars (11)
—-
Now here is the entire order of M train riders’ priorities 2007 priority rank will be in ( ):
01. Minimal delays during trips (1)
02. Reasonable wait times for trains (2)
03. Adequate room on board at rush hour (3)
04. Cleanliness of stations (5)
05. Station announcements that are easy to hear (4)
06. Sense of security in stations (7)
07. Sense of security on trains (6)
08. Comfortable temperature in subway cars (8)
09. Train announcements that are easy to hear (9)
10. Cleanliness of subway cars (11)
11. Station announcements that are informative (10)
12. Courtesy and helpfulness of station personnel (13)
13. Working elevators and escalators in stations (14)
14. Train announcements that are informative (12)
15. Availability of MetroCard Vending Machines (15)
16. Signs in stations that help riders find their way (17)
17. Signs in subway cars that help riders find their way (18)
18. Ease of use of subway turnstiles (16)
19. Lack of scratchitti in subway cars (19)
20. Lack of graffiti in stations (20)
21. Lack of graffiti in subway cars (21)
—-
Now here is the graded breakdown for all 21 categories; 2007 grade in ( ):
01. Minimal delays during trips D+ (D+)02. Reasonable wait times for trains D+ (C-)
03. Adequate room on board at rush hour D (D)
04. Sense of security in stations C (C)
05. Sense of security on trains C (C-)
06. Working elevators and escalators in stations C- (C-)
07. Signs in stations that help riders find their way C+ (C+)
08. Signs in subway cars that help riders find their way C+ (C+)
09. Cleanliness of stations D+ (C-)
10. Cleanliness of subway cars C (C)
11. Station announcements that are easy to hear D+ (D+)
12. Station announcements that are informative D+ (D+)
13. Train announcements that are easy to hear C- (C-)
14. Train announcements that are informative C- (C-)
15. Lack of graffiti in stations C+ (C+)
16. Lack of graffiti in subway cars B- (B-)
17. Lack of scratchitti in subway cars C+ (C+)
18. Courtesy and helpfulness of station personnel C (C)
19. Comfortable temperature in subway cars C (C+)
20. Ease of use of subway turnstiles C+ (B-)
21. Availability of MetroCard Vending Machines B- (B-)
To be quite honest, I do not have much to add in terms of analyzing these results. The line graded out almost identical in every category from last year. So in all honesty, the same feelings I echoed last year apply today as well. You can view my 2007 analysis by clicking here.
I feel bad for 5 riders as these report cards will echo the same sentiments year after year until the Second Avenue Subway is completed to its full potential.
P.S. Once again the amount of responses received by the MTA was lower than last year. PATHETIC!
xoxo Transit Blogger
- So That’s Where You Have Been Hiding
- L Train Rider Report Card Breakdown
- Staten Island Railway Is No Different
- Ehh Shuttle, You’re Average!
- 4 Train: You’re Average!
LIRR Service Reminder
Just in case you forgot, here is a link to details of the Long Island Rail Road’s extra Christmas holiday service which I posted for everyone 2 weeks ago:
LIRR Extra Christmas Holiday Service Details
xoxo Transit Blogger
