Lawmakers to host hearings on state of the Long Island Rail Road

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State lawmakers recently sent a letter to Long Island Rail Road President Phillip Eng, informing him that they planned to host hearings about the dismal state of the railroad.
State Sen. Todd Kaminsky was recently appointed a chair on the New York State Senate Committees on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions and Transportation, and sent the letter along with Sens. Leroy Comrie, Timothy Kennedy, John Brooks, Monica Martinez, Kevin Thomas, James Gaughran and Anna Kaplan.
“Statistics reveal what commuters know quite well — that the LIRR’s recent performance is subpar and in desperate need of a thorough review and revamping,” the letter reads. “In light of the legislature’s role in funding the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s] budget, as well as fulfilling our role as representatives of the riders who rely on your service, we plan to exercise our oversight authority in an effort to seek collaborative solutions to remedy the unstable situation.”
The letter also requested Eng’s participation in the hearings, but no timetable was given for when they would occur. A request for comment from the LIRR about the letter was not returned at press time.
The letter stated that the hearings will seek the participation of riders, workers and experts “who can each illuminate the causes for the dire situation of Long Island’s commuter rail system.”

This isn’t the first time Kaminsky railed against the LIRR for on-time performance. In May 2017, he hosted a “rally for a sane commute” that was attended by hundreds of commuters in Rockville Centre. Last September, he called for a reform of the LIRR.
In Lynbrook, Kaminsky was also a part of a push to overhaul the dilapidated LIRR station, along with Mayor Alan Beach and former Assemblyman Brian Curran. In September, after several months of negotiations, the LIRR announced a $17.9 million renovation for the antiquated station, which hasn’t been updated in about three decades.
The project is scheduled to start this spring and to be completed by the end of 2020, with $10 million going toward platform-level upgrades, including the renovation of both platforms, the construction of two new canopies and two new glass waiting rooms, and the installation of security cameras, LED lighting and free Wi-Fi at the station.
An additional $6 million will fund concrete viaduct repairs, while $1.5 million will be allocated for structural support work. The upgrades will be funded under the LIRR’s Capital Program.