Why not fast 24/7 LIRR service to LIC, Hunters Pt.?

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Chairman Janno Lieber and Long Island

Rail Road President Catherine Rinaldi recently announced the return of 24/7 service to the Port Washington branch Mets-Willets Point station. Why not do the same for both the Hunters Point and Long Island City stations? Neighborhoods served by these two stations continue to grow with thousands of new residents, businesses and office workers. The LIRR currently runs a handful of trains AM rush hour in one direction westbound from Ja- maica station to Hunters Point and LIC stations and eastbound in the PM rush hour.

Why wasn’t service been added in both directions for rush hour, along with hourly off- peak? The New York City Transit Hunters Point No. 7 subway station is just down the block from the LIRR Hunters Point Station. Two stops on the No. 7 in less than five minutes and you arrive at Grand Central Terminal. There are easy connections to both street level and the 42nd Street Lexington Avenue station NYC Transit for the No. 4,5 and 6 subway lines. Contrast that with attempting to reach street level from LIRR Grand Central Madison Terminal — 15 stories below ground. It requires eight or more minutes upon arrival at Grand Central Madison before you can access the NYC Transit 42nd Street Lexington Avenue Subway Station.

The LIRR Long Island City station is within walking distance to both the No. 7 Flushing Vernon Blvd. Jackson Ave. station (one stop less than three minutes from Grand Central Terminal) and the LIC NYC Economic Development Corporation private ferry landing, with connections to 34th Street and Pier 11 adjacent to Wall Street and the Financial District.

Larry Penner Great Neck

(Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a former Director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management).

Letters Continued on Page 33