LIRR users are out of place, running from one platform to another in search of the train that will take them to their destination.
“A chaos now, because I have the application… a train passes, it passes at a different time that is not the same as what you are waiting for, the other one passes, it is different, a chaos,” said Jessica Mayorga.
Chaos has been created by the LIRR schedule confusion put into effect Monday for new service to Grand Central Madison Station.
“Yes, because sometimes you run and for example I arrived just now because I wanted to catch the 2:32 train, it was 2:30 and the train had already passed. Sometimes it takes time, sometimes it goes ahead like right now and I’m late,” said Alejandran Molina.
The MTA eliminated most direct trips from Long Island to the Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn. Now most passengers have to make a stop and find the train that will connect them here in Jamaica.
Pagan.
“Now I have to be running to catch my train, it’s true, because otherwise I’ll wait another hour to get home,” said Fátima Shields.
While trains heading to Penn Station fill up to capacity during rush hour, those going to Grand Central Madison Station are left with rows of empty seats.
Something that is attributed to the fact that the LIRR is using trains with fewer cars than usual.
“You never know if you are going to find a seat, as if it were a real casino. Let’s see, let’s see, hopefully, as if they were the tickets, the numbers, I get a seat that’s good. But you know, patience, that’s the only remedy,” said Adán Pagán.
The acting president of Long Island Rail Road said MTA officials overestimated the number of riders who would use the Grand Central Madison station when it opened.
To deal with this chaos, the MTA has added cars to the trains of four major divisions that run in and out of Penn station. And most trains will have 10 to 12 cars. Each car holds about a hundred additional passengers.
And for those going to and from Brooklyn, MTA officials will lengthen trains and expand service.
Officials assure that by Monday the improvement of the changes in the system will be noticed.
