Reduced service continues on LIRR

According to a press release issued by the rail road Wednesday, "the Long Island Rail Road continues to closely monitor the progress of Amtrak’s repair work in the East River tunnel stemming from Sunday’s Amtrak derailment. At this time, the tunnel is scheduled to be returned to service for Friday morning’s rush hour service.

"As a result of the on-going repair work in the tunnel, the LIRR will again reduce, by about a quarter, the number of trains that the LIRR normally operates into Penn Station during the morning rush. On Thursday morning, a total of 22 of the 98 trains normally operated into Penn Station will be canceled, terminated or diverted – this represents the same service plan that was used during Wednesday morning’s rush.

"Once again, customers should allow extra travel time and expect scattered 10 to 20 minute delays. Stopping patterns on some trains may change – please listen for announcements or consult station signage.

"The LIRR expects that AM and PM rush hour service will continue to be significantly affected through Thursday, May 12. The ability of the LIRR to restore full service on Friday morning is directly dependent on the progress of Amtrak’s repairs. The LIRR is in constant communication with Amtrak and is assessing Amtrak’s ability to meet the deadline to restore full service Friday morning. Amtrak crews replaced 282 damaged track ties, and crews are scheduled to replace stone ballast in the track bed into Thursday. Once track and signal repairs are completed, testing must also be performed before the tunnel can be restored for train service."

AM Rush Service Plan for Thursday, May 12

Of the 22 trains canceled, terminated at Jamaica or diverted:

• Twelve will be canceled outright at their eastern origination point.

• Five trains will operate normally then terminate at Jamaica where customers can board other trains for Penn Station or take an E train to Manhattan. For a less crowded and more comfortable ride, passengers for lower Manhattan are encouraged to use the J and Z lines rather than the E to and from Jamaica. New York City Transit will honor LIRR tickets on the subway.

• Four trains will be diverted to Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn.

• One train will be diverted to Hunterspoint Avenue.

AM Peak Train Cancellation/Diversion Detail

Port Washington Branch

• The 6:17 AM train from Port Washington, due in Penn Station at 7:03 AM, is canceled

• The 7:22 AM Little Neck train due in Penn Station at 7:55 AM, is canceled

• The 7:36 AM train from Port Washington, due in Penn Station at 8:11 AM, is canceled.

• The 8:24 AM Great Neck train due in Penn Station at 8:59 AM is canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 8:18 AM Port Washington train due in Penn Station at 9:02 AM, making all combined stops.

• The 8:58 AM train from Great Neck, due in Penn Station at 9:34 AM, is canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 8:45 AM train from Port Washington, due in Penn Station at 9:20 AM, which will make all combined stops.

Babylon Branch

• The 5:56 AM train from Babylon, due in NY at 6:59 AM, will be diverted to Atlantic Terminal.

• The 6:14 AM train from Massapequa Park, due in Penn Station at 7:08 AM, is canceled.

• The 6:42 AM Babylon train due in Penn Station at 7:49 AM, is canceled

• The 6:57 AM train from Freeport, due in Penn Station at 7:40 AM, will be diverted to Atlantic Terminal.

• The 7:29 AM train from Freeport, due in Penn Station at 8:13 AM, will be canceled at Jamaica.

• The 7:37 AM train from Babylon, due in Penn Station at 8:48 AM, will be canceled at Jamaica.

• The 7:43 AM train from Merrick, due in Penn Station at 8:31 AM, is canceled.

• The 8:10 AM train from Freeport, due in Penn Station at 8:50 AM, is canceled.

• The 8:25 AM train from Freeport, due in Penn Station at 9:08 AM, will be diverted to Atlantic Terminal.

• The 8:35 AM train from Babylon, due in Penn Station at 9:37 AM, will be canceled at Jamaica.

- more -

- 3 -

Far Rockaway Branch

• The 8:03 AM train from Valley Stream due in Penn Station at 8:42 AM is canceled.

• The 8:10 AM train from Far Rockaway due in Penn Station at 9:05 AM is canceled. Customers will be accommodated by the 8:21 AM train from Far Rockaway, to Penn Station, which will be diverted to Atlantic Terminal.

Long Beach Branch

• The 8:03 AM train from Long Beach, due in Penn Station at 8:54 AM, is canceled.

Hempstead Branch

• The 6:58 AM train from Hempstead, due in Penn Station at 7:52 AM, will be canceled at Jamaica.

• The 7:12 AM train from Hempstead, due in Penn Station at 8:03 AM, will be canceled at Jamaica.

West Hempstead Branch

• The 7:36 AM train from West Hempstead, due in Penn Station at 8:29 AM, will be diverted to Hunterspoint Avenue.

Customers are urged to check on LIRR service before heading to train stations by monitoring the MTA website, www.mta.info, listening to the latest news broadcasts and traffic reports and/or signing up for free E-Alerts that provide the latest train information direct from the LIRR train operations center.

Customers can also contact the LIRR's Travel Information Center at 718-217-5477 (718-217-LIRR). If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service provider or the free 711 relay to reach LIRR at 718-217-5477.

###