By:Leslie Gonzalez
Excessive litter is the number one problem at Long Island Rail Road stations in Lynbrook and Malverne, according to the results of an annual commuter survey by county comptroller Fred Parola.
The comptroller's findings, released Aug. 3, concluded that cleaner stations, followed by upgraded security, were commuters' top priorities.
Reviewed were 21 of the largest LIRR stations in the county, where the comptroller's office is mandated to pay for train station maintenance.
"It is my job to make sure that Nassau commuters are getting their money's worth. Therefore, commuter input is crucial," Parola said.
The survey, conducted each spring, is completed by both commuters and regular volunteers recruited by the comptroller's office. Mail-in survey forms are made available at each location. Commuters who filled out the one-page survey were asked to respond to 10 questions with an answer scale ranging from positive to poor or no opinion.
This year, 23 responses were received from Lynbrook commuters and 18 from Malverne. Straphangers were asked to rate the station's cleanliness, the conditions of platforms, stairwells and station houses, and whether security and lighting systems were adequate. Commuters also rated new double-decker cars, the reliability of ticket vending machines, the clarity of the public announcement system, and whether the air conditioning was functioning. Commuters were also asked whether the overall condition at their station has improved, and what's the single greatest problem.
Lynbrook commuters complained of litter around the station, delayed or late announcements and odors emanating from the elevator.
"You can just imagine," said Ella Stevens, Parola's spokesperson. "These smells can be garbage, vomit, or human waste."
"The elevator stinks. People use it as a bathroom overnight," said Larry Warshaw of Lynbrook, who commutes to Manhattan.
Andrea Braudy, a Lynbrook commuter, has also noticed the smelly elevator, and said she no longer uses the station's waiting room.
"You can't go in there. It smells so much," Braudy said. "But the trains, for the most part, have been on time."
While some of the odor problems are caused by riders and those who litter, homeless people who seek shelter in station waiting areas may also be part of the problem, Stevens said.
Malverne commuters complained of litter around the station and of inoperable air conditioning.
"The litter is not bad, but the A/C could be a little better," said Claudia Conway, a Malverne resident.
Vince Wiscovitch, a Malverne resident, often catches the 8:20 a.m. westbound train from Lynbrook if he misses the 7:42 a.m. from Malverne. He completed the Comptroller's survey in his hometown.
"I had no complaints about Malverne, but I agree with the late announcements [at Lynbrook]. Sometimes there are no announcements at all," Wiscovitch said. He also cited limited, four-hour parking at Lynbrook. "In Malverne, we have all day meters."
While most opinions were gathered over the last two months, Stevens said others were acquired through feedback received over the course of the year. Overall county results also concluded that commuters' greatest concerns were safety and cleanliness.
"Obviously, commuters are distressed by these issues and rightfully so," said Parola, who notified LIRR President Ken Bauer of the survey's findings. "I know that you are committed to a better ride for our commuters. Please investigate these concerns," he wrote in a July 30 letter that listed each complaint station-by-station.
Sam Zambuto and Brian Dolan, LIRR spokesmen, could not be reached for comment.
Last year, Parola contacted the Nassau County Health Department to investigate the possibility of unhealthy conditions left behind by pigeons, which he described as "omnipresent." In an October 2000 letter to Hugh Mahoney, acting commissioner of the Nassau County Health Department, Parola requested an inspection at Lynbrook, one of two stations with the most complaints.
Sandra Gigliardo, Health Department representative, said three health inspections were conducted between Oct. 24 and Nov. 27, 2000. Corrective measures by the LIRR include the installation of bird netting under the viaduct from station plaza west to the abutment wall and east to the taxi stand. Wire mesh and spikes were also added, and holes and niches under the tracks were closed to prevent roosting.
"We have done all we could because the facility is under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Suburban Transit, and the LIRR has addressed those concerns," Gigliardo said. "On the flip side, we've received a letter from a Lynbrook commuter who was very upset that we prevented pigeons from roosting in protective areas." Parola has requested another series of health inspections this year.
Although Parola has offered to meet with Bauer to discuss this year's problems, Stevens said the Comptroller's Office has not yet received a response from the LIRR/MTA or the Health Department. "When we do, we will forward their response to our commuters. We like to keep them abreast of the situation, because it is our responsibility to respond to the taxpayers," Stevens said.
Bauer said MTA police were notified of the presence of homeless individuals at local stations.
"They routinely patrol all LIRR stations, work closely with county and municipal police, and affect corrective action when required," Bauer wrote. "Although our elevators are cleaned daily, we will continue to monitor the cleaning process in an effort to improve cleanliness." All stations are subject to different degrees of cleaning on a set schedule, Bauer said, and at many stations, platform litter is removed twice a day, in the morning and evening. As a result of last year's survey, Bauer said the LIRR's Passenger Services Department reviewed the cleaning schedules at problem stations.
Bauer said public address systems are routinely checked, and problems are reported immediately for repair. In addition, the LIRR's Communications Department checks all 105 station PA systems monthly, he said, and daily checks by agents and clerks are reported back to the LIRR's Movement Bureau. A total of 667 checks by branch line managers were also conducted through Dec. 31, 2000. In residential areas, Bauer noted, the LIRR tries not to disturb neighbors, and announcements are generally not made prior to 6:30 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
At Lynbrook, platform leaks were repaired, and reconstruction of the waiting area was completed in Sept. 2000. New lighting is also being added under the Lynbrook viaduct as part of the LIRR parking rehabilitation project, which will be completed by Dec. 2001.
In Malverne, the LIRR parking project will rehabilitate all commuter parking areas, Bauer said, including the Westwood station. Bauer said the station building, including the waiting room, is leased to the Village of Malverne. The station building is opened at 5:30 a.m. by Malverne Police personnel, Bauer said, based on a recent agreement with the LIRR.
Bauer said about 85 percent of station parking falls under the jurisdiction of local municipalities, and another 10 percent is controlled by others, including private owners. "We work very closely with local officials when problems are identified," he said.
Bauer also reported a steady increase in ridership, and cited a 1999 peak as its highest since 1950. Short-range plans to increase the size of the LIRR fleet included the overhaul of 132 older M-1 electric cars, which underwent replacement of brakes, propulsion and door components. Also planned was the mid-life overhaul of 172 M-3 electric cars, built between 1984 and 1986.
Long-range plans include the replacement of 744 older M-1 electric cars, many of which are over 30 years old, with M-7 cars, the first of which are expected to begin service in mid-2002. Bauer said an MTA contract surplus of new cars will increase the reliability of the LIRR fleet.
The comptroller urged any commuter who wishes to add to the survey to contact his office. You can write the comptroller at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola or call his office at (516) 571-2386. If you have Internet access, you can log on to the Comptroller's web site at www.co.nassau.ny.us/comptroller and make your comments on-line.
