Long Island, NY - September 2, 2015 - The Long Island Rail Road anticipates operating on a normal schedule for this evening’s rush hour.
LIRR electrical engineers have been working since shortly after 5 a.m. to identify the cause of a loss of power to the LIRR’s signal system east of the East River tunnels that had hampered service this morning to and from Penn Station. The LIRR has made temporary repairs that officials believe will allow the railroad to operate on a normal schedule through the evening rush hour.
However, as a cautionary note, if the temporary repairs do not hold up, train service status could change at a moment’s notice. Delays and possible train cancelations would be announced in real time via public address systems and multiple digital channels described below.
LIRR customers are advised to keep a close eye on the LIRR’s website, to monitor the news media for the latest updates, to sign up for up-to-the-minute service alerts from the LIRR via email or text message by signing up at mymtaalerts.com, and to monitor the LIRR’s social media accounts, including its Twitter feed, @LIRR.
Customers for whom taking a train out of Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn, would be a feasible alternative are encouraged to consider taking a train from there as an alternative to Penn Station. The potential for delays to trains from Atlantic Terminal is considered much less likely.
The LIRR will station additional customer service personnel at Penn Station to assist customers with any difficulties that may arise. MTA New York City Transit will position additional station personnel along the 2,3, 4, 5 and 7 lines to be ready in the event of an LIRR service disruption. And will have additional track and signal personnel on hand to assist with orderly train service.
This morning, rush hour service had been suspended into and out of Penn Station between about 7:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. After service had been restored, residual congestion-related delays continued into the mid-day period.