HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIRRSOUTIIOLD TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION
53095 Main Road
Phone (631) 765-1938
Fax (631) 765-3 ~.36
October 18, 2001
Mr. Brian Dolan
Vice President for Public Relations
Long Island Rail Road
Jamaica Station
Jamaica, New York 11435
SoulhlatTmmCkrk
Dear Mr. Dolan:
Over the last few months, the comnUssion has been researching past and presem train schedules on the Mainline
between Ronkonkoma and Greenport in order to come up with possible solutions that would improve train service
along this route as well as increase ridership for the Long Island Rail Road. A number of important facts need to be
highlighted.
In 1958, the end of the double track was at Republic. The 1958 speed limit from Republic to Greanport was 65
MPH. Passenger train No. 218 was scheduled to nm between Ronkonkoma and Greenport in 1 hour and 10
minutes, including 8 station stops. All the stations were low-level, makitlg for slow boardthg aud discharging of
passengers (Aanex 1 & 2).
In 2001, the Mainline has a speed limit of 45 MPH between Ronkonkoma and Manorville and 40 MPH between
Manorvill¢ and Greenport. Train No. 200 takes 1 hour and 25 minutes, with only 5 station stops and high-level
platforms that speed up boarding and discharging of passengers (Annex 3 & 4).
Thc Mainline is a dark (no signals) railroad, but so is the Montauk branch. The speed limit them is 65 MPH
(Annex 5).
The Commission would like to offer the following possibilities for your review and possible implementation which
would cer~alnly move us closer to thc above two goals with minimal disruption to the existing operations of the
LIRR:
· ff the speed limit was restored to 65 MPH, the 1958 schedule of 1 hour 10 minutes could be reduced to 1
hour, given existence of all high-level platforms and reduction of 3 station stops. This would represent a
saving of 25 minutes over the present sebedule.
· Travel time between Ronkonkoma and Greenport would be faster than by car.
· The first train out of Greenport departure could be set back to connect with the first ferry from Shelter
Island.
· Train No. 250 could be extended to Greenport providing afternoon service.
· Train bio. 256 could leave Greenport at a more reasonable time of 8:42 PM instead of 9:42 PM.
· The Sunday night train could leave 25 minutes later.
· Most importantly, there would be a saving in train crew overtime by being able to start later and finish
earlier.
Mr. Brian Dolan, Long Island Rail Road Page 2
The comnUssion would greatly appreciate being informed of the result of your review of these possible
improvements and your decision regarding their implementation.
Sincerely,
Neboysha R. Bmshich
Chairman
Enclosures (a/s)