LIRR touts best on-time numbers since 2012, critics push back against metrics used

LIRR President Phillip Eng says the month of January finished with the railroad's best on-time performance since 2012, hitting 93.3%.

News 12 Staff

Feb 19, 2020, 12:20 AM

Updated 1,537 days ago

Share:

The Long Island Rail Road touted its performance record to start the year, but not everyone is on board with the numbers.
LIRR President Phillip Eng says the month of January finished with the railroad's best on-time performance since 2012, hitting 93.3%.
Eng credited the improved performance to the LIRR Forward Service initiative, which aims to address the root causes of the railroad's persistent delays. That includes problems caused by bad weather and aging infrastructure.
"We've taken a proactive approach to hardening our infrastructure, mitigating impacts to weather and other factors that contributed to delays," says Eng.
The MTA's report comes a month after a state comptroller's audit criticized the LIRR, saying it uses misleading performance measures to exaggerate the size of its ridership and reliability of its trains.
Critics also say it's too early for the LIRR to be bragging about improved on-time performance because of this year's mild winter.
The LIRR Commuters Campaign says the railroad should adopt a different method of measuring on-time performance.
"There's a method out there called passenger hours delayed. You measure the total number of passenger hours of delay and that would be a significant accurate change," says Peter Haynes, of the LIRR Commuters Campaign.
Some commuters who spoke with News 12 said most of their trains have been on time this year, but others say the true test will be if they can sustain it once track work is completed.
 


More from News 12
0:51
Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

1:38
Steady rain, chilly Sunday on Long Island; warmer start to workweek

Steady rain, chilly Sunday on Long Island; warmer start to workweek

0:23
Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

0:50
Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

0:24
Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

0:27
Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

0:21
State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

0:45
Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

1:50
‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

0:46
Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

0:53
Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

0:28
Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

2:15
Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:38
Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:58
Kids get up-close-and personal tour of Suffolk police headquarters during Police Week

Kids get up-close-and personal tour of Suffolk police headquarters during Police Week

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

1:56
JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant

JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant