Schumer Calls for LIRR Rider Bill of Rights

New York's Sen. Charles Schumer wants the Long Island Rail Road to establish a "commuter bill of rights'' to better inform passengers about service disruptions.      

Schumer said at a press conference in Mineola on Monday that better communication is needed.

It's a sentiment commuter Jerdene Bachus would agree with. Waiting at Jamaica station to travel back to Laurelton with her two children, she said she was "just waiting and waiting and waiting" for her train Monday night while trains were delayed due to an outage.

"We're paying enough money to travel," she said. "It's just like the MTA, we pay, we pay, we pay, and nothing is happening."

According to Schumer, the LIRR has seen 12 major shutdowns or delays in the past year. Last month, thousands were stranded when a lightning strike knocked out Jamaica station's signal system.

"There was the accident, the switching problem," said Gabrielle Coppola of Valley Stream. "I've been late five times the last few months. And forget about winter. They can't get it right."

The bill of rights would be similar to one for the airline industry. Schumer wants a better notification system on service disruptions. He wants a standard time for how long passengers should be expected to sit on stranded trains.

When it happens, the LIRR should provide basic provisions, like water.      

Monday night's problem was a signal failure near Mineola. The outage delayed at least 25 trains east of Jamaica.

The MTA resolved the problem quickly, and no one was hurt. But some were still discouraged.

"It's frustrating," said Shaunice Hansen of Rosedale. "So many delays, and they raise the price."

A LIRR spokesman said the railroad will work on improvements.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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