NEW YORK - Another option for commuters during the Long Island Rail Road's "Summer of Hell" is to take the train to Jamaica and transfer to a subway.
Jennifer Lang, of Melville, said she wasn't experiencing any issues returning home Monday and that getting to the city in the morning wasn't too crazy.
"It was a little more crowded than usual, but the trains seemed to be running on time," she said.
Lang was one of many commuters News 12 spoke with at the Jamaica station who strategically left work early Monday.
"It's been pretty smooth so far and thankfully I'm on my way home a little early, so that makes things easier as well," said Mike Mallamo, of Massapequa.
With three of 21 tracks now out of service at Penn Station, commuters are taking the MTA's advice by making alternative plans. Commuters can switch at Jamaica station and take the E train into Manhattan. They can also travel to lower Manhattan by catching the J or Z trains. The railroad is also encouraging riders to take the No. 7 train from Hunterspoint Avenue, Long Island City, and the B, D, N, Q, R and Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 lines at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn.
Officials say there are free morning rush hour subway transfers at key locations, but not during the evening rush.
Long Islanders said they will deal with the inconvenience as long as their commutes stay relatively hassle-free.
For an extended interview with Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the "Summer of Hell," click
here.