MTA overtime monitor
After an emergency board meeting that became very heated on Friday, MTA CEO and Chairman Patrick Foye said an independent monitor will be assigned to investigate allegations of overtime abuse.
MTA excessive overtime
In 2018, the MTA spent more than $1 billion on overtime pay, according to data released by the Empire Center for Public Policy.
LIRR rescue reunion
Brad Wieboldt is lucky to be alive after suffering a massive heart attack two weeks ago. On Wednesday, he was reunited with the young man who helped save his life.
LIRR power lines
Some live power lines fell on train tracks on Long Island, causing service disruptions on the Long Island Rail Road on Monday.
LIRR trains collide with truck
Two Long Island Rail Road trains going in opposite directions collided with a truck that was on the tracks in Westbury Tuesday evening, according to officials. One train then tore into a station platform.
Opposition to LIRR fare hike
Elected officials on Long Island oppose the MTA's plan to raise Long Island Rail Road fares. They said a fare hike is unfair to riders, especially when the railroad's performance is at an all-time low over the past nearly two decades. A letter to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is calling for a forensic audit of the MTA or at the very least the LIRR.
LIRR fare discount pilot program
How would you like to cut your commuting time in half and save money doing it? A pilot program would benefit people living on the edge of Queens and Brooklyn who commute into Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn.
Ambitious mega-transit proposal
What if New Jersey Transit, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad were all integrated into one massive transit system? Some commuters said that sounds like a great idea. Maybe—but is it realistic? A nonprofit says the idea is not only possible, it is essential to meet the needs of the growing tristate population. The Regional Plan Association is proposing a new system called T-REX, the Trans-Regional Express, to better connect New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
New LIRR president on the job
The new president of the MTA's Long Island Rail Road will be traveling to major transit hubs to talk to commuters about their concerns. Philip Eng's visit to the Mineola train station on Tuesday was far from smooth. He shook hands with commuters and talked to them about improving service just as Amtrak switch problems at Penn Station caused a number of delays and cancellations.
LIRR president steps down
Long Island Rail Road President Patrick Nowakowski is resigning effective Friday. Newsday reports that Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Joseph Lhota released a statement Wednesday night thanking Nowakowski for his four years of "steady and evenhanded leadership."
Massive fire causes LIRR problems
The Long Island Rail Road suspended service on four of its branches because of a large fire at a recycling plant near the tracks east of the Jamaica station. Service was suspended in both directions on Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, Oyster Bay, Hempstead branches after the fire started shortly after 1 p.m. Friday. Limited eastbound service was restored on some lines by 5 p.m.
LIRR problems
Late and canceled trains have become the new normal for many Long Island Rail Road riders, according to a new report from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Findings show that 2017 was, in fact, the worst year for the LIRR since 1999. The report reveals more than 19,200 trains were late last year. Of these, more than 7,000 trains were over 10 minutes late. Nearly 1,400 trains were canceled at the terminal before departure. The 5:59 p.m. train from Penn Station to Babylon had the worst on-time average of any evening peak train at 63 percent.
Railroad service mess
The powerful nor'easter that pummeled the New York area Wednesday with snow, rain, and wind caused a mess on the region's railroads. Metro-North Railroad's New Haven, Harlem, and Hudson lines are all suspended as of Wednesday evening due to downed trees and "weather-related infrastructure issues," according to the MTA.
LIRR improvement plan
After falling off the tracks in January with the worst on-time performance in more than two decades, the MTA's Long Island Rail Road outlined a "performance improvement plan" that it hopes will improve the performance and service of the railroad.
More Penn Station repairs begin
Commuters were expecting a few service changes Monday morning on New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, and Long Island Rail Road because of a new round of track work scheduled at Penn Station. What they weren't prepared for was a disabled Amtrak train and the massive delays that followed.
Ongoing LIRR problems
It may be a new year but it is the same old story of service disruptions and delays when it comes to the Long Island Rail Road. Dozens of disruptions in December prompted state Sen. Todd Kaminsky to demand an investigation. A damaged rail in Amtrak's East River tunnel Wednesday morning caused changes and cancellations for commuters who crowded outside of Jamaica Station.
Summer of Hell almost over
The so-called Summer of Hell is just days away from being over. Amtrak officials announced Thursday afternoon that the repair work at Penn Station is complete and regular service will resume in the morning on Tuesday, September 5.
Moynihan Train Hall construction to begin
This former Farley Post Office Building, built in 1912, takes up a city block next to Penn Station in Manhattan. It will once again see life as a major hub for Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak riders. The governor's office released artist renderings show what the train hall will look like when complete. The Moynihan Train Hall is expected to open in 2020.
Delayed Pilsner comes to Penn Station
Cool off with a new kind of beer coming to Penn Station next week. The pilsner is dubbed Delayed and it is designed to look like the LIRR schedule board that many commuters have seen this summer with Amtrak's repair work. Blue Point Brewing Company came up with the idea waiting for a delayed train to Patchogue, home to the brewery.
Penn Station repairs progress
The so-called Summer of Hell is half over. Amtrak's chief engineer said crews are 50-percent complete and that some of the work is running a bit ahead of schedule. After labor day, the weekday work ends and the weekend work begins.