Subways to play major role in LIRR's summer commuting plan

<p>The Long Island Rail Road says it has an extensive plan to get commuters to and from work when the so-called &quot;Summer of Hell&quot; begins to affect commuters into and out of Penn Station.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 5, 2017, 3:42 PM

Updated 2,651 days ago

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Subways to play major role in LIRR's summer commuting plan
The Long Island Rail Road says it has an extensive plan to get commuters to and from work when the so-called "Summer of Hell" begins to affect commuters into and out of Penn Station. 
Track repairs on the aging Penn Station infrastructure will begin on July 10 and take two months to complete. Commuters have been told to expect one out of every five LIRR trains bound for Penn Station to be canceled.
The LIRR says a big part of its plan relies on the city's subways. It says 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, and the B, D, N, Q, R and Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 lines at Atlantic Terminal. 
There will be free morning rush hour subway transfers at key locations, but not during the evening rush. A special fare reduction of 25 percent will go to customers who avoid Penn Station.
The LIRR is also providing ferry service out of Glen Cove and Long Island City and bus service across Long Island. 
The railroad is asking employers to consider letting their employees work from home to help ease the congestion. 
One commuter who spoke with News 12 Long Island plans on taking the summer delays in stride. 
"I am just going to give myself more time and be positive about it," says Valeska Shillingford.