Crowded trains, new schedules and service delays irk LIRR Grand Central Madison riders

The MTA says it's monitoring ridership trends and will adjust as necessary.

News 12 Staff

Feb 28, 2023, 10:36 PM

Updated 667 days ago

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Long Island Rail Road commuters on the Grand Central Madison line said they were frustrated Tuesday with new schedules and service delays.
News 12 received a video from a rider of a crowded platform at Jamaica Station. She says all the passengers there were forced to cram onto a train that was late and had only six cars.
Delays on the second day of full service to Grand Central Madison Station were caused by signal issues.
People are also complaining about cuts to express service from stations like Ronkonkoma.
It was the second day of service along the new line. Lisa Daglian, the executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, says the Grand Central Madison rollout is a work in progress.
"It's trying something new and adapting to something different," she said. "And now you're adapting to something that's new and different with delays. And that's adding to a scramble and a dash so you're not late. It's really frustrating for a lot of people."
Some commuters say they were hoping it would be a better timesaver.
"I'm trying to go from Grand Central to my office, but because the thing is so deep underground, it takes me a really long time to get to my office still," says Maria Llerena. "So, I thought I would save 20 minutes, but I'm probably saving five."
According to the MTA, a temporary fix has been made to the track condition that caused this morning's delays. Permanent repairs will be done overnight.
The agency also says it's monitoring ridership trends and will adjust as necessary.
It was the second day of service along the new line. Lisa Daglian, the executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, says the Grand Central Madison rollout is a work in progress.
“It's trying something new and adapting to something different,” she said. “And now you're adapting to something that's new and different with delays. And that's adding to a scramble and a dash so you're not late. It's really frustrating for a lot of people.”
According to the MTA, a temporary fix has been made to the track condition that caused this morning's delays. Permanent repairs will be done overnight.
The agency also says it's monitoring ridership trends and will adjust as necessary.