Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
LIRR Will Reverse Service Cuts Causing Packed, Standing Room-Only Trains
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Jen Chung
Published Mar 9, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Jen Chung
Published Mar 9, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
LIRR train cars on March 9th
Senator Todd Kaminsky / Twitter
After two mornings in row with crowding on some Long Island Rail Road trains due to service cuts that went into effect this week, the MTA has reversed course.
In a statement, agency president Phil Eng said service will be restored to previous levels before the end of the month.
"We heard our customers' concerns about our new schedule loud and clear. As a result, we will restore our previous timetable on March 29," he said. "In the meantime, we will continue to strategically add additional trains and lengthen trains to meet evolving ridership levels. We continue to monitor seating availability with unprecedented clarity thanks to new technology. As declining COVID-19 cases and increased deployment of the vaccine allow New York to fully reopen, customers should expect to see more riders returning to trains every day, and we look forward to it."
On Monday, the MTA implemented pandemic-related service cuts to match lower ridership—translating to 75% service levels for 24% of the usual ridership. However, the riders on some lines found trains to be at standing room-only capacity, an unfortunate environment during a pandemic.
One rider, Chris Sloan, told Gothamist on Monday that riders were unable to socially distance during the journey between Sayville and Manhattan, "Everyone was pissed off, but kind of together in the struggle with the quiet knowledge that LIRR screwed us all."
The MTA said they added nine more trains on Tuesday morning, but for some commuters, the same problems emerged:
During a Tuesday press call, Governor Andrew Cuomo said the MTA would add more trains. "I understand financial constraints and few ridership but its smarter to have fewer people on the train during this time," he said.
State Senator Todd Kaminsky of Long Island hailed the LIRR's decision to bring back, Tweeting, "The @LIRR will reverse its drastic cuts and phase back in normal train service. This win happened because we worked together to make our voices heard. Let’s continue the fight for a sane, safe and dignified commute."
However, one commuter found the situation much the same on Wednesday morning.
The MTA expects to receive $6.5 billion from federal stimulus funds, which would allow it to avoid "drastic service cuts."
Tagged
service cuts
lirr
we the commuters
pandemic
Stephen Nessen
Stephen Nessen covers transportation. Since 2008 he has reported on everything from Occupy Wall Street, the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, Hurricane Sandy, to Trump’s campaign for president. His transportation reporting has taken him everywhere from the MTA’s secret Rail Control Center to the gleaming subways of Seoul. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
ICE agent shoots, injures immigrant man in NYC's Marble Hill, DHS says
The agency says the man is alive and hospitalized.
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 8, 2026 at 5:33 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 8, 2026 at 10:32 p.m. ET
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
Jersey City mayor shakes up staff amid $255M budget gap
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx residents will be exempt from new Medicaid work rule, state officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
MTA chair accuses Andy Byford, who's leading Penn Station rebuild, of going 'full MAGA'
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Carol Chen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .