Community Corner

Update: Limited Train Service Along LIRR

Evening rush hour expected to be a messy commute.

Train service to all LIRR branches- except the Port Washington line - was suspended  late Monday morning. Limited service has been restored, but severe delays are expected to continue into the evening rush hour.

According to Mike Charles of the LIRR press office, the railroad is coming up with an "alternative service plan."

At 4:31 p.m., the LIRR updated their service advisory to read: "The LIRR is offering limited service for the PM rush hour today due to an earlier fire at a switching station east of Jamaica. Babylon Branch customers should board a train at Penn Station only. There will be no Babylon trains at Atlantic Terminal and scheduled connections will not be held at Jamaica. Trains will make all local stops."

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The electronic train schedule screens at the Massapequa and Massapequa Park LIRR stations were blank, adding to the confusion, as those waiting on the platform did not know when trains would arrive.

There were updates over the public address system alerting riders about the limited service.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When Jennifer Campbell had arrived at the Massapequa Park station, she wasn't even sure what train she had caught from Penn Station. "I don't have any idea," she said. "I just happened to catch it. I can't believe this."

 Berry Anderson of Massapequa Park had just made the trek home from his job in Manhattan. "I got on the train in Penn Station at 3:46," he said. "And I just got here now, at 5:04. That's longer than usual, but not as bad as some people I heard about today."

Joanne Lucksavage was waiting to pick up her husband at the Massapequa station, and was irate over the fire that had delayed his train. "The LIRR just doesn't take care of their equipment," she said. "My husband's train was due in at 4:36, and he just called at 4:40 to tell me he was still in Jamacia."

LIRR officials said they expected service to operate at 60 percent of normal throughout the evening. The Port Washington line was not affected because it does not travel through Jamaica.


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