The LIRR Today
@thelirrtoday.com
The latest news on commuting and travelling across Long Island. Opinions are the personal views of their author. Not an official LIRR account.
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Visit on the web at http://www.thelirrtoday.com/
Subscribe to e-mail list at http://lists.thelirrtoday.com/
Just watched a frustrated gaggle of NYPD cops attempting to respond to a call having to wait outside the emergency gate for 20 seconds for it to unlock because @mta.info has decided emergency gates don't need to be immediately accessible in an emergency...
November 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Just watched a frustrated gaggle of NYPD cops attempting to respond to a call having to wait outside the emergency gate for 20 seconds for it to unlock because @mta.info has decided emergency gates don't need to be immediately accessible in an emergency...
Reposted by The LIRR Today
Another problem with eliminating the 30-day Metrocard that @thelirrtoday.com briefly touches on: it *encourages* fare evasion. If every ride is an incremental cost, you're going to take opportunities to avoid that cost. Meanwhile, the MTA is spending millions to solve a problem they're exacerbating.
November 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Another problem with eliminating the 30-day Metrocard that @thelirrtoday.com briefly touches on: it *encourages* fare evasion. If every ride is an incremental cost, you're going to take opportunities to avoid that cost. Meanwhile, the MTA is spending millions to solve a problem they're exacerbating.
Reposted by The LIRR Today
The switch away from sunk cost unlimited passes encourages riders to penny pinch and fare evade instead of using the services as much as possible.
Almost like the MTA doesn't want to deal with the hassle of ridership growth. 🙄
Unbelievable.
Almost like the MTA doesn't want to deal with the hassle of ridership growth. 🙄
Unbelievable.
Elimination of 30-day Unlimited MetroCard would make frequent Subway travel among most expensive in the world www.thelirrtoday.com/2025/11/nyct...
Elimination of 30-day Unlimited MetroCard would make frequent Subway travel among most expensive in the world
The series of fare and toll changes approved by the MTA Board this past September includes a number of fare policy changes that will drive u...
www.thelirrtoday.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:53 PM
The switch away from sunk cost unlimited passes encourages riders to penny pinch and fare evade instead of using the services as much as possible.
Almost like the MTA doesn't want to deal with the hassle of ridership growth. 🙄
Unbelievable.
Almost like the MTA doesn't want to deal with the hassle of ridership growth. 🙄
Unbelievable.
Reposted by The LIRR Today
Going to keep beating this drum. For frequent subway riders, the elimination of the 30-day Metrocard is a backdoor 14% fare hike and it changes ridership behavior in a way that discourages discretionary trips. Both results are very, very bad!
Elimination of 30-day Unlimited MetroCard would make frequent Subway travel among most expensive in the world www.thelirrtoday.com/2025/11/nyct...
Elimination of 30-day Unlimited MetroCard would make frequent Subway travel among most expensive in the world
The series of fare and toll changes approved by the MTA Board this past September includes a number of fare policy changes that will drive u...
www.thelirrtoday.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Going to keep beating this drum. For frequent subway riders, the elimination of the 30-day Metrocard is a backdoor 14% fare hike and it changes ridership behavior in a way that discourages discretionary trips. Both results are very, very bad!
Reposted by The LIRR Today
Good post. This is my personal primary complaint about the MTA ending the monthly pass.
Monthly passes encourage ridership: you no longer think about whether to use transit, you already have it covered.
Monthly passes encourage ridership: you no longer think about whether to use transit, you already have it covered.
November 19, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Good post. This is my personal primary complaint about the MTA ending the monthly pass.
Monthly passes encourage ridership: you no longer think about whether to use transit, you already have it covered.
Monthly passes encourage ridership: you no longer think about whether to use transit, you already have it covered.
Elimination of 30-day Unlimited MetroCard would make frequent Subway travel among most expensive in the world www.thelirrtoday.com/2025/11/nyct...
Elimination of 30-day Unlimited MetroCard would make frequent Subway travel among most expensive in the world
The series of fare and toll changes approved by the MTA Board this past September includes a number of fare policy changes that will drive u...
www.thelirrtoday.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Elimination of 30-day Unlimited MetroCard would make frequent Subway travel among most expensive in the world www.thelirrtoday.com/2025/11/nyct...
Reposted by The LIRR Today
This. Why don't I take the LIRR to #isles games? it might be faster during rush hour yes, but not to get me home. And "faster" in rush hour isn't saying much.
November 19, 2025 at 3:33 AM
This. Why don't I take the LIRR to #isles games? it might be faster during rush hour yes, but not to get me home. And "faster" in rush hour isn't saying much.
Reposted by The LIRR Today
What’s scary to me is that fraud is a big step for most people, and so for every instance of fraud in an organization, you will probably find hundreds of people whose work is so poor that they (and more worryingly, those underneath them) are barely contributing anything productive.
"In my opinion, I don’t see it as stealing from the riders. To me, the railroad is the biggest crook." -- www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Inside the LIRR 'culture of fraud'
An MTA inspector general investigation lays out how Long Island Rail Road workers allegedly gamed the system in a variety of creative ways.
www.newsday.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:26 AM
What’s scary to me is that fraud is a big step for most people, and so for every instance of fraud in an organization, you will probably find hundreds of people whose work is so poor that they (and more worryingly, those underneath them) are barely contributing anything productive.
Reposted by The LIRR Today
MTA's methodology assumes 94% of monthly ticket holders are using their ticket 5 days per week. On what planet do you think that is accurate of today's commuting patterns?
MTA's own survey data shows that only 51% of monthly & converted 20-trip users are using their passes 5 or more days per week.
MTA's own survey data shows that only 51% of monthly & converted 20-trip users are using their passes 5 or more days per week.
December 6, 2024 at 1:57 AM
MTA's methodology assumes 94% of monthly ticket holders are using their ticket 5 days per week. On what planet do you think that is accurate of today's commuting patterns?
MTA's own survey data shows that only 51% of monthly & converted 20-trip users are using their passes 5 or more days per week.
MTA's own survey data shows that only 51% of monthly & converted 20-trip users are using their passes 5 or more days per week.
Nope. These ridership estimates that the MTA publishes for LIRR and Metro-North are very inflated.
They are estimated from ticket sales based on a study of commuting patterns of Metro-North riders that was taken in...1983. Assumes monthly tickets are used 5 days a week, not the case post-COVID-19
They are estimated from ticket sales based on a study of commuting patterns of Metro-North riders that was taken in...1983. Assumes monthly tickets are used 5 days a week, not the case post-COVID-19
Has @thelirrtoday.com or others done an analysis of 2025 LIRR ridership?
Cuz today's "This Week in MTA Construction" newsletter brags about an 11% jump in customer satisfaction and links to this👇🏻 while celebrating St. Albans' elevator (which opened 3 weeks ago lol)
www.mta.info/press-releas...
Cuz today's "This Week in MTA Construction" newsletter brags about an 11% jump in customer satisfaction and links to this👇🏻 while celebrating St. Albans' elevator (which opened 3 weeks ago lol)
www.mta.info/press-releas...
www.mta.info
November 18, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Nope. These ridership estimates that the MTA publishes for LIRR and Metro-North are very inflated.
They are estimated from ticket sales based on a study of commuting patterns of Metro-North riders that was taken in...1983. Assumes monthly tickets are used 5 days a week, not the case post-COVID-19
They are estimated from ticket sales based on a study of commuting patterns of Metro-North riders that was taken in...1983. Assumes monthly tickets are used 5 days a week, not the case post-COVID-19
Reposted by The LIRR Today
How is it that American transit agencies choose the dumbest solutions for problems that are entirely created by their unwillingness to accept international best practices?
NJTransit is starting to check tickets before riders go down to the platform at NY-Penn Station, too... www.reddit.com/r/NJTransit/...
If our region's transit systems weren't run by a bunch of bozos, we could have had a single regional fare payment system & then just put turnstiles at all entrances
If our region's transit systems weren't run by a bunch of bozos, we could have had a single regional fare payment system & then just put turnstiles at all entrances
From the NJTransit community on Reddit: NJT doing ticket checks before you can go down to the platform at NYP now
Explore this post and more from the NJTransit community
www.reddit.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:13 PM
How is it that American transit agencies choose the dumbest solutions for problems that are entirely created by their unwillingness to accept international best practices?
NJTransit is starting to check tickets before riders go down to the platform at NY-Penn Station, too... www.reddit.com/r/NJTransit/...
If our region's transit systems weren't run by a bunch of bozos, we could have had a single regional fare payment system & then just put turnstiles at all entrances
If our region's transit systems weren't run by a bunch of bozos, we could have had a single regional fare payment system & then just put turnstiles at all entrances
From the NJTransit community on Reddit: NJT doing ticket checks before you can go down to the platform at NYP now
Explore this post and more from the NJTransit community
www.reddit.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
NJTransit is starting to check tickets before riders go down to the platform at NY-Penn Station, too... www.reddit.com/r/NJTransit/...
If our region's transit systems weren't run by a bunch of bozos, we could have had a single regional fare payment system & then just put turnstiles at all entrances
If our region's transit systems weren't run by a bunch of bozos, we could have had a single regional fare payment system & then just put turnstiles at all entrances
Reposted by The LIRR Today
@wmata.com out here talking about moving to full automation and platform screen doors across the network while lawmakers in NYS push forward nonsensical bills that would mandate a minimum of TWO workers per @mta.info train, removing even one person train operation.
Major announcement in just-posted board documents: DC's Metro is moving fast toward automation.
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
Over 15 years, Metro plans full automation & platform screen doors, which the agency says will improve safety, reliability, & travel times—at reduced costs.
www.wmata.com/about/board/...
November 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
@wmata.com out here talking about moving to full automation and platform screen doors across the network while lawmakers in NYS push forward nonsensical bills that would mandate a minimum of TWO workers per @mta.info train, removing even one person train operation.
Reposted by The LIRR Today
Maddening trip with @mtalirr.bsky.social this evening. Our train lost 5 minutes in 4 stations simply because the conductor was never in position to operate the doors at stations, too busy collecting tickets like it’s 1895. Every aspect of this railroad’s operation is sloppy and insulting to riders.
November 15, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Maddening trip with @mtalirr.bsky.social this evening. Our train lost 5 minutes in 4 stations simply because the conductor was never in position to operate the doors at stations, too busy collecting tickets like it’s 1895. Every aspect of this railroad’s operation is sloppy and insulting to riders.
In Philadelphia, and was attempting to transfer to the Trolleys at City Hall. Waiting several minutes, nothing is coming.
I go over to station agent who is sitting in booth. She snaps "Trolleys are on diversion. You have to go to 40th & Market"
I go over to station agent who is sitting in booth. She snaps "Trolleys are on diversion. You have to go to 40th & Market"
November 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
In Philadelphia, and was attempting to transfer to the Trolleys at City Hall. Waiting several minutes, nothing is coming.
I go over to station agent who is sitting in booth. She snaps "Trolleys are on diversion. You have to go to 40th & Market"
I go over to station agent who is sitting in booth. She snaps "Trolleys are on diversion. You have to go to 40th & Market"
PATH has put up a web page with more details on the proposed service improvements (or, rather, restoration of old service levels they previously cut)
Changes will phase in four increments: March 2026, May 2026, Fall 2026, and March 2027. www.panynj.gov/path/en/ever...
Changes will phase in four increments: March 2026, May 2026, Fall 2026, and March 2027. www.panynj.gov/path/en/ever...
Every Line Every Day
www.panynj.gov
November 14, 2025 at 6:52 PM
PATH has put up a web page with more details on the proposed service improvements (or, rather, restoration of old service levels they previously cut)
Changes will phase in four increments: March 2026, May 2026, Fall 2026, and March 2027. www.panynj.gov/path/en/ever...
Changes will phase in four increments: March 2026, May 2026, Fall 2026, and March 2027. www.panynj.gov/path/en/ever...
More frequent may be a bridge too far...the devil is in the details and PANYNJ has not provided that many details.
Before all of this nonsense, PATH ran JSQ-33rd via Hoboken every 10 minutes most of the weekend day
If they revert to pre-WTC construction they ran HOB-33rd & JSQ-33rd every 15 min ea
Before all of this nonsense, PATH ran JSQ-33rd via Hoboken every 10 minutes most of the weekend day
If they revert to pre-WTC construction they ran HOB-33rd & JSQ-33rd every 15 min ea
This is a huge thing for PATH riders who will see better more freqeunt service starting in March 2026. www.nj.com/news/2025/11...
Historic $45B plan will build new airport terminals, add rail service, but tolls and fares will rise
The Port Authority of NY and NJ proposed a $45 billion 10-year capital plan to fund several projects.
www.nj.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:43 AM
More frequent may be a bridge too far...the devil is in the details and PANYNJ has not provided that many details.
Before all of this nonsense, PATH ran JSQ-33rd via Hoboken every 10 minutes most of the weekend day
If they revert to pre-WTC construction they ran HOB-33rd & JSQ-33rd every 15 min ea
Before all of this nonsense, PATH ran JSQ-33rd via Hoboken every 10 minutes most of the weekend day
If they revert to pre-WTC construction they ran HOB-33rd & JSQ-33rd every 15 min ea
I had previously heard that we would be getting all four lines back on weekends next year, but I'm not yet convinced it will be a lasting, permanent change vs. something short term for the World Cup and semiquncentential.
But it's very good to see these things on paper. PATH must now deliver.
But it's very good to see these things on paper. PATH must now deliver.
Please sit down before looking at this screenshot.
Better things might be possible!
@2avesag.as @thelirrtoday.com @airlineflyer.net @mdasilva.bsky.social
Better things might be possible!
@2avesag.as @thelirrtoday.com @airlineflyer.net @mdasilva.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I had previously heard that we would be getting all four lines back on weekends next year, but I'm not yet convinced it will be a lasting, permanent change vs. something short term for the World Cup and semiquncentential.
But it's very good to see these things on paper. PATH must now deliver.
But it's very good to see these things on paper. PATH must now deliver.
No.
PATH is also still testing TAPP vending machines.
OMNY is still not ready on NICE and Bee-Line.
MTA is clearly not ready to sunset MetroCard, but everyone is going to get screwed because they abdicated their job to be the metropolitan transportation authority.
PATH is also still testing TAPP vending machines.
OMNY is still not ready on NICE and Bee-Line.
MTA is clearly not ready to sunset MetroCard, but everyone is going to get screwed because they abdicated their job to be the metropolitan transportation authority.
Has the Port Authority made any announcement on how 10-trip passes for the JFK Airtrain will be sold once the Metrocard is eliminated 7 weeks from tomorrow?
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
No.
PATH is also still testing TAPP vending machines.
OMNY is still not ready on NICE and Bee-Line.
MTA is clearly not ready to sunset MetroCard, but everyone is going to get screwed because they abdicated their job to be the metropolitan transportation authority.
PATH is also still testing TAPP vending machines.
OMNY is still not ready on NICE and Bee-Line.
MTA is clearly not ready to sunset MetroCard, but everyone is going to get screwed because they abdicated their job to be the metropolitan transportation authority.
LIRR made it into a stock video shot in, the latest Wendover video. That sloppy ballast work caught my eye immediately.
Any guesses for where? youtu.be/uEVv8SOJ6Is?...
Any guesses for where? youtu.be/uEVv8SOJ6Is?...
November 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
LIRR made it into a stock video shot in, the latest Wendover video. That sloppy ballast work caught my eye immediately.
Any guesses for where? youtu.be/uEVv8SOJ6Is?...
Any guesses for where? youtu.be/uEVv8SOJ6Is?...
PANYNJ is giving a presentation on the EWR Rail Link station access project as part of NYMTC's monthly brown bag presentation series: bit.ly/11-12brownbag
Meet virtually with Cisco Webex. Anytime, anywhere, on any device.
Simple, modern video meetings for everyone on the world's most popular and trusted collaboration platform.
bit.ly
November 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
PANYNJ is giving a presentation on the EWR Rail Link station access project as part of NYMTC's monthly brown bag presentation series: bit.ly/11-12brownbag
Nice. FRA/FTA should regulate this at the national level.
Obfuscated windows (whether with ad wraps or through poor maintenance like LIRR/NJT) can mean first responders can't see inside the vehicle to see if anyone needs assistance in an emergency.
Obfuscated windows (whether with ad wraps or through poor maintenance like LIRR/NJT) can mean first responders can't see inside the vehicle to see if anyone needs assistance in an emergency.
Denver area transit agency bans advertising covering windows.
www-denverpost-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.denv...
www-denverpost-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.denv...
RTD bans ads covering windows of metro Denver buses and trains
The prohibition means losing revenue at a time when agency officials are grappling with financial constraints.
www-denverpost-com.cdn.ampproject.org
November 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Nice. FRA/FTA should regulate this at the national level.
Obfuscated windows (whether with ad wraps or through poor maintenance like LIRR/NJT) can mean first responders can't see inside the vehicle to see if anyone needs assistance in an emergency.
Obfuscated windows (whether with ad wraps or through poor maintenance like LIRR/NJT) can mean first responders can't see inside the vehicle to see if anyone needs assistance in an emergency.
I'm not fan of free buses, but I think the idea that the bondholders revolt is a red herring.
MTA has made tons of fare policy changes, discounts, promotions with bonds out on the street.
Call it a pilot program. Poof, problem solved...
MTA has made tons of fare policy changes, discounts, promotions with bonds out on the street.
Call it a pilot program. Poof, problem solved...
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 AM
I'm not fan of free buses, but I think the idea that the bondholders revolt is a red herring.
MTA has made tons of fare policy changes, discounts, promotions with bonds out on the street.
Call it a pilot program. Poof, problem solved...
MTA has made tons of fare policy changes, discounts, promotions with bonds out on the street.
Call it a pilot program. Poof, problem solved...
Some unqualified observations on the state of the nation's air travel system from someone expecting to fly transcontinental tomorrow night and has been monitoring LAS-EWR flights bi-hourly all week...
The biggest thing that FAA and the airlines need to figure out is how to restore predictability.
The biggest thing that FAA and the airlines need to figure out is how to restore predictability.
November 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Some unqualified observations on the state of the nation's air travel system from someone expecting to fly transcontinental tomorrow night and has been monitoring LAS-EWR flights bi-hourly all week...
The biggest thing that FAA and the airlines need to figure out is how to restore predictability.
The biggest thing that FAA and the airlines need to figure out is how to restore predictability.