LIRR Reveals 'Summer Of Hell' Commuter Plan To Deal With Penn Station Chaos

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The MTA will launch a four-part plan to aid Long Island Rail Road commuters this summer as Amtrak conducts construction work at Penn Station, agency officials announced at a press conference Monday.

Acting MTA Chairman Fernando Ferrer described the current conditions at Penn Station as "all but intolerable," and MTA Interim Director Ronnie Hakim pinned the problems on decades of under-investment.

"We know our customers have had enough," Hakim said Monday. "We've heard them loud and clear."

But it could get worse.

As Amtrak prepares to launch an "aggressive" construction schedule, Hakim estimated that as many as 9,600 LIRR commuters could be affected by construction work. To ease the burden on these passengers, the MTA and the recently created Penn Station Task Force have come up with a four-part plan.

The MTA plans to:

1. Increase rush hour capacity by modifying train schedules and lengthening trains
2. Launch bus and ferry services as alternative options for commuting into Manhattan
3. Reduce congestion on roadways into Manhattan
4. Launch a "robust public awareness campaign"

The LIRR will run three additional trains during peak rush hour times this summer, Hakim said Monday. In addition to the extra trains, the LIRR will add 36 more train cars. Those measures are expected to account for the 9,600 seats. Additional service to Hunters Point and Atlantic Terminal will also be offered.

The modified train schedule will be released online at some point Monday, Hakim said.

LIRR commuters will also have the option of taking ferries or coach buses into Manhattan, Hakim said. The LIRR will launch two ferry routes, with a capacity of 2,300 riders, from Glen Cove and Hunters Point. Long Islanders will also be able to catch buses from eight different park-and-ride locations. The MTA will launch 200 coach buses daily, with a capacity for 2,900 parking spots, Hakim said.

Former MTA Chairman Joe Lhota said that the MTA will not let the upcoming crisis "go to waste."

"This crisis is an opportunity to be able to look at new and different ways to make the commute as comfortable and as quick as possible," Lhota said during Monday's press conference.

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