Nearly all of the station waiting rooms that were part of the pilot program have automated locks on their doors. A recorded announcement alerts their occupants five minutes before they close. Detectors alert the LIRR security department if someone remains in a waiting room.

The LIRR will continue to assess the impact of the extended waiting room hours, and either modify or end the program at certain stations if circumstances warrant a change.

“We’re pretty excited about it,” said Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray. “If you come off the train and you have to wait 10 minutes, now you can stay inside. I explained to them we have thousands of people a day using the Long Island Rail Road to get into the city, and, just as important, we have people visiting our vibrant village every night, so it is important.”