Governor Hochul Celebrates Long Island Rail Road’s Strongest Year to Date

On-Time Performance of 95.65 Percent for LIRR Trains in 2024 Is the Railroad’s Best in its History

LIRR Ridership Increased Nearly 16 Percent Since 2023

Performance Record Achieved With 14,000 More Trains in Service

LIRR Sees Increase in Customer Satisfaction Rating

LIRR Cites Agency-Wide Focus on Reliability, Schedule Revisions and Recent Investments in Infrastructure as Catalysts for Record-Breaking Year

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that 2024 was the strongest year for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in its nearly 200-year history. The railroad’s on-time performance record was 95.65 percent — the best in its history excluding in 2020-22 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The LIRR also surpassed its 94 percent on-time performance goal each month throughout 2024 for the first time, and finished the year strong with an all-time November on-time performance record of 96.2 percent. Additionally, each of the 12 LIRR branches exceeded the 94 percent on-time performance target and 95 percent of trains ran on time in December.

“New Yorkers deserve fast and reliable train service wherever they’re headed, and the LIRR delivered to our commuters in 2024 with its strongest year to date,” Governor Hochul said. “I am committed to keeping New York moving and continuing to build on these performances, as we look forward to projects that will modernize our railroads, reduce travel time and expand train service for riders.”

Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free said, “One of my main goals when I assumed the presidency of the LIRR was to create an amazing customer experience, every day, on every train. This incredible jump in customer satisfaction shows that we are in fact achieving it. The LIRR continuously monitors data and customer feedback to improve the reliability and customer experience of our service. On-time performance is at record highs, schedules are more convenient, and this makes our customers happy.”

Preliminary ridership statistics for 2024 show an increase in ridership — 75.5 million riders rode the LIRR in 2024 compared to the 65.2 million people who rode in 2023, marking a 15.8 percent increase. November 2024 was an extremely successful month for the railroad, reaching both a record on-time performance level of 96.2 percent — the highest level for that month since the statistic started being kept in 1979 — as well as carrying 6.3 million riders, up from 5.8 million in 2023.

Top 5 Ridership Weekdays in 2024 

Wednesday	11/27/2024	284,694	Highest ridership since the pandemic
Wednesday	9/18/2024	281,624	2nd highest weekday
Wednesday	10/16/2024	279,608	3rd highest weekday
Thursday	10/17/2024	277,906	4th highest weekday
Tuesday	10/8/2024	275,934	5th highest weekday

Highest Saturday and Sunday Ridership in 2024 

Saturday	12/14/2024	161,398
Sunday	6/9/2024	132,945

Service Projects and Expansion

Since 2018, the LIRR has increased the capacity of the railroad with a series of projects.

A second track was added to an 18-mile stretch of the Ronkonkoma Branch between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma in 2018. This allowed the railroad to increase peak service, add flexibility and help minimize the impact of service disruptions on the branch.

The construction of the Main Line Third Track completed in 2022 was not only a rail expansion project but also an infrastructure project, bringing more existing infrastructure into a state of good repair than any other project in railroad history, increasing safety, modernizing stations, beautifying towns and eliminating multiple railroad grade crossings. The track was built on time and $100,000 under budget, and opened in October 2022 after 50 years of effort. For the first time, Long Island commuters had less train congestion and fewer delays, and now have true bi-directional service during peak hours on a more reliable rail network.

The LIRR’s newest terminal, Grand Central Madison, opened in 2023. Combined with the Main Line Third Track, the projects allowed a service increase of 41 percent, which is more service than any other time in the railroad’s history. These increases continued into 2023, with the LIRR operating 14,000 additional trains in 2024 than in 2023.

Following a 41 percent increase in service that took place when the railroad began operating out of Grand Central Madison in February 2023, initial usage patterns showing a general 70 percent/30 percent split of usage between Penn Station and Grand Central have shifted over the past 23 months to a 60 percent/40 percent split.

The system expansion and modernization brought about by these projects enabled the LIRR to build and open its first new full-time commuter station, Elmont-UBS Arena, bringing thousands of event-goers to the arena and the surrounding shopping areas who contributed money to the local economy. 

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA GETS REAPPOINTED AS CHAIR OF THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

This week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball unveiled El Centro Kingsbridge — a new plan for the future of the Kingsbridge Armory — after they kicked off the request for proposal process last summer to redevelop the historic and long-underutilized site and create new economic opportunities in the Bronx.

The development team for the project will be led by 8th Regiment Partners LLC selected through a competitive request for proposals for the development rights. See more information here.

Senator Rivera said in a statement:

"I'm committed to maintaining a watchful eye on the new developer to ensure that the new project fosters economic growth, leads in sustainability, and generates good-paying union jobs. Further, our community's aspirations, needs, and concerns must be thoroughly reflected with a legally binding Community Benefits Agreement"

CITYWIDE CURBSIDE COMPOST COLLECTION: CHRISTMAS TREE PICK-UPS

The New York City Department of Sanitation is announcing that Christmas tree collection is now any week you want! Are you a family that takes the tree down on Christmas? Do you hold out for all twelve days? Rather wait until May? It’s all ok!

 

Thanks to the expansion of curbside composting collection, city residents no longer must wait to get rid of their trees during a specific time period. Naked trees – trees without decoration, ornaments and stands – can go to the curb for collection on your curbside compost day, the same day the rest of your recycling is collected.

 

Christmas trees are treated similarly to the other material the Department collects for composting, where food scraps, food-soiled paper products and yard waste are turned in to finished compost or renewable energy.

 

Trees and natural wreaths should be set at the curb next to other compostable materials. Trees should not be wrapped in plastic bags.

 

Before curbside composting, the Department announced a limited number of dates Christmas trees would be collected.

 

Need to get rid of an artificial tree? Residents looking to get rid of an artificial tree should separate and remove the metal base and trunk and place those parts with their other metal recycling.

 

For more information on Christmas tree collection and recycling visit www.nyc.gov/dsny or call 311.

APPLY NOW FOR THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP)

HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING

VERY COLD TEMPERATURES?

Much of the country will be hit with extreme low temperatures over the next week as a polar vortex sends cold air down from the North Pole.

How can you prepare for it? Here is what you can do:

STAY SAFE INDOORS

Prevent Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

• Change batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
  
• Check that they are installed in areas where people sleep and on each floor of your home.
  

Take these Steps if you do not have Heat or Hot Water:

• Tell your building superintendent, property manager or owner right away. Call 311 if the problem is not fixed quickly.
  
• Go to a warm place, such as a friend’s or family member’s home.
  

Until Your Heat is Fixed, Heat Your Home Safely:

• Never use a stove, oven or charcoal grill to heat your home. Kerosene heaters and propane space heaters are illegal in NYC.
  
• If you use an electric space heater, only plug it directly into the wall outlet.
  

 

STAY SAFE OUTDOORS

Keep Warm:

• Dress in dry, loose-fitting layers.
  
• Cover exposed skin, such as your face and hands.
  

Prevent Slips and Falls:

• Take care when walking on snow and ice, especially if you are an older adult.
  
• Wear sturdy shoes or boots.
  
• Take short steps and walk at a slow pace.
  
• Use handrails on stairs.
  

Be Careful When Shoveling Snow:

• In NYC, homeowners are responsible for shoveling snow. Shovel slowly and take breaks often.
  
• If you are an older adult or have a disability and need snow shoveled, call 311 and ask if volunteer snow removal services are available in your neighborhood.
  

Watch for Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite:

Hypothermia and frostbite are serious conditions caused by spending long periods of time in very cold temperatures.

Hypothermia is when your body temperature drops to a dangerously low level. It can lead to death. Symptoms include:



• Intense shivering
  
• Sluggishness
  
• Dizziness
  
• Drowsiness
  
• Trouble speaking
  
• Confusion
  
• Lack of Coordination
  
• Shallow Breathing
  

Frostbite is when parts of the body freeze, especially your fingers, toes, ears, nose and cheeks. It can cause permanent damage. Symptoms include:

• Red and painful skin or pale skin
  
• Unusually firm or waxy skin
  
• Numbness
  

Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you see symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite. 

*Source: NYC Health: https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/emergency-preparedness/emergencies-extreme-weather-cold-weather.page