Lawmaker: Survey finds dismal LIRR satisfaction rates

A LIRR satisfaction report was released Tuesday after state lawmakers unveiled a proposal to block planned LIRR fare hikes.
According to state Sen. Todd Kaminsky, who created the survey, the results are dismal.
Nearly 600 commuters were asked about their LIRR experience, and they expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the timeliness, quality and value of the train service.
A total of 318 people said that they were dissatisfied, 109 said that they were moderately satisfied and 48 people said they were satisfied.
The results mark a significant difference from the 77 percent satisfaction rate reported by the LIRR following a poll it conducted.
Sen. Kaminsky describes the current commuter experience as miserable and chaotic, and is demanding that MTA take immediate action before instituting a fare increase.
Kaminsky said the survey was seven to eight questions about satisfaction with LIRR service. The questions were based on timeliness of the LIRR, quality and value of train service.
Only 13 percent of responders said they believed that they got their money's worth. Kaminsky says the survey shows that an overwhelming number of commuters are absolutely not satisfied.
Despite having its worst on-time performance in 19 years, the LIRR has planned a 4 percent fare hike for early next year. On Monday, Republican lawmakers proposed new legislation to stop it.
An MTA spokesperson tells News 12 they are working on infrastructure, which should help with timeliness.
But Kaminsky is calling on the railroad to acknowledge its current state.
“The on-time statistics that the railroad keep are not accurate. They do not reflect what is going on out there, and we have to get rid of the false advertising that things are good,” he says. “We are going to tackle a problem so central to Long Island, we have to come to grips with the nature of the situation. It's simple - it's very bad.”
Regarding the false advertising, Kaminsky was referring to the 77 percent satisfaction rate that the LIRR reported in a poll last year. He said those numbers are absolutely wrong. He also said many people and officials thought that Penn Station was horrible.
News 12 reached out to the LIRR for comment, but has not heard back yet.