Some commuters and their elected representatives rallied Monday to demand the Metropolitan Transportation Authority restore trains that were cut from the Oyster Bay line in an effort to increase service to Grand Central Madison.
The group says they thought East Side access would be transformative for the area and bring an increase in service.
But they say only four trains were added on the Oyster Bay line with just one having direct service to Penn Station. They also say their commute is now longer and are pleading for more trains to Penn Station for the morning and evening rushes along with more direct trains.
Betzally Mendoza, of Oyster Bay, says the changes have made it a challenge to get her son to school on time and for her to make it to work into the city on time.
"On the return home, it's just the same. Trains are slower," Mendoza says. "There was a time difference change, and I got home after 8:30 p.m. I'm a mom, that's a 12-hour day."
Protesters also say they are against the state's proposed plan for an $800 million MTA payroll tax increase.
An MTA spokesperson told News 12 in a statement, “The LIRR has added hundreds of trains per day with the new schedule, and will continue to monitor customer response and make adjustments to better serve riders.”