LIRR rolls out adjustments to service following rocky week at Grand Central Madison station

The LIRR is hoping today's changes will alleviate crowded trains and chaotic connections.

News 12 Staff

Mar 6, 2023, 10:41 AM

Updated 578 days ago

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The Long Island Rail Road looked to improve commuters' experiences Monday after a bumpy first week of full service at Grand Central Madison station..
The LIRR hoped the changes would alleviate crowded trains and chaotic connections.
Some of the changes involved adding rush hour trains to Brooklyn and additional train cars. Cars were also added to Penn Station from branches, including Port Washington, Babylon and Ronkonkoma.
Around 30 additional LIRR employees were on hand to help commuters at Jamaica.
Interim LIRR President Catherine Rinaldi said ridership projections were off and that a lot of loyal commuters continue to travel to Penn Station over Grand Central Madison.
"We are happy with the Grand Central Madison service, it's going well, and those customers are very happy, but there are a lot of other customers that are loyal and not so happy with us," Rinaldi says. "We are doing our best, Gov. Hochul is challenging us to do better, and we will be better. We appreciate everyone's patience."
Some riders, however, experienced new issues as stops at Woodside were removed from some trains. Commuters say it's making their commute a challenge - choosing less time at home to make an earlier train or getting to work late.
"If they could add more Woodside stops, that'd be great," says Valerie Winberry, of Bay Shore
The LIRR said changes it made needed to be done immediately. More changes could still come as it analyzes data and commute trends.