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LIRR's First New Train Cars In 17 Years Debut Just In Time For Morning Commute LIRR's First New Train Cars In 17 Years Debut Just In Time For Morning Commute
Lirr's First New Train Cars In 17 Years Debut Just In Time For Morning Commute The Long Island Railroad's first new train cars in 17 years made their debuts on Wednesday, Sept. 11, just in time for the morning commute as they rolled out of Huntington. Known as the “M9", the new cars improve upon the most successful and popular features of the MTA’s two recent electric car fleets, the M7s electric cars, and the M8 cars serving Metro-North’s New Haven Line, railroad officials said. “These new cars will offer new amenities and a better environment for our customers,” Railroad President Phillip Eng said. “Even if your train isn’t composed of these cars, there’s a good ch…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Person Struck, Killed By LIRR Train Person Struck, Killed By LIRR Train
Person Struck, Killed By Lirr Train A person was struck and killed by a train at the Hewlett Station, causing delays for several hours. The incident took place around 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 6, at the station, said MTA Spokesman Aaron Donovan. LIRR had suspended service between Valley Stream and Far Rockaway, but service was restored at 12:24 p.m., Donovan said. The MTA Police are investigating the incident. Additional details were not immediately available. This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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by Kathy Reakes
News
LIRR To Restore 14 Rush-Hour Trains To, From Penn Station LIRR To Restore 14 Rush-Hour Trains To, From Penn Station
Lirr To Restore 14 Rush-Hour Trains To, From Penn Station Long Island Rail Road officials have announced a plan to restore a total of 14 rush hour trains to and from Penn Station. After Amtrak’s latest round of work to repair and rebuild infrastructure at Penn Station is completed, 14 LIRR rush-hour trains that had been canceled or rerouted will return to Penn Station starting Tuesday, Sept. 3, according to Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng. The LIRR has been operating a total of 260 daily rush-hour trains, which were limited by a reduction of track availability resulting from Amtrak’s work. The rush-hour train total will increase to 274 (a…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Plan Calls For Cutting Thousands Of MTA Jobs In First Significant Layoff Since 2010 Plan Calls For Cutting Thousands Of MTA Jobs In First Significant Layoff Since 2010
Plan Calls For Cutting Thousands Of MTA Jobs In First Significant Layoff Since 2010 A new reorganization plan from the MTA may lead to the loss of as many as 2,700 jobs. Consulting group AlixPartners released a new report stating that the new reorganization plan may leave thousands out of work, while saving the MTA upwards of $350 to $500 million annually. It would be the MTA's first significant round of layoffs since 2010. Under the plan, as many as 1,900 to 2,700 jobs may be eliminated, including some through mass layoffs - though officials note the process could take at least two years to implement. The proposal represents approximately a 4 percent decrease in the …

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by Zak Failla
News
Person Survives After Being Struck By LIRR Train Person Survives After Being Struck By LIRR Train
Person Survives After Being Struck By Lirr Train A person was transported to a local hospital overnight after being struck by a train near the LIRR station in Patchogue, the MTA said. First responders were dispatched to the Patchogue station near the Ocean Avenue and Division Street intersection shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday, July 12, for reports of a person who had been struck by a non-passenger work train, an MTA spokesperson said. The person - whose gender has not been released - was reportedly laying on the tracks when the train came across the railroad crossing just east of the station. Officials noted the person did not have the a…

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by Zak Failla
News
MTA Will Increase Service For July 4th Holiday MTA Will Increase Service For July 4th Holiday
MTA Will Increase Service For July 4th Holiday Still trying to figure out your travel plans for the Fourth of July? You may be able to take advantage of these additional services offered by the MTA. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials have announced a plan to offer extra rail services on Wednesday, July 3 in order to to help customers travel to Fourth of July holiday activities. On Thursday, July 4, the MTA’s railroads, subways and buses will operate on weekend schedules. The eight additional Long Island Rail Road early afternoon services will depart Penn Station starting at 2:08 p.m. This service includes three extra…

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by Valerie Musson
News
LIRR 'Time Clock Sabotage' Under Investigation Just Weeks After Reports Of Excessive OT Pay LIRR 'Time Clock Sabotage' Under Investigation Just Weeks After Reports Of Excessive OT Pay
Lirr 'Time Clock Sabotage' Under Investigation Just Weeks After Reports Of Excessive OT Pay Weeks after the MTA was rocked by reports of overtime pay going off the rails to the tune of more than $400 million, an investigation has been launched after a Long Island Railroad time clock in Queens was tampered with. When workers went to install a new biometric clock at the LIRR Jamaica station to help better monitor when workers clock in and out, to keep track of overtime, they found that the communication line used by the clock had been cut by a suspected saboteur. The cut cord led to an investigation by the MTA Inspector General’s Office and MTA Police Department. No suspect has been…

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by Zak Failla
News
Feds Investigating LIRR Overtime Records, Including $461K For One Worker, Report Says Feds Investigating LIRR Overtime Records, Including $461K For One Worker, Report Says
Feds Investigating Lirr Overtime Records, Including $461K For One Worker, Report Says Federal prosecutors have launched a probe into Long Island Railroad overtime pay following recent reports that the MTA paid out more than $400 million in overtime last year, including one LIRR employee who pocketed more than $460,000. Prosecutors have subpoenaed pay records for a recently retired LIRR official, Thomas Caputo, a former chief measurement operator, who allegedly took in $461,646 in overtime pay, according to the Empire Center, prompting further investigation. Caputo’s overtime pay was more than what New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio earned last year, accordin…

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by Zak Failla
Sports
Beat The Traffic: Here Are Best Ways To Get To PGA Championship At Bethpage Black Beat The Traffic: Here Are Best Ways To Get To PGA Championship At Bethpage Black
Beat The Traffic: Here Are Best Ways To Get To PGA Championship At Bethpage Black The MTA is offering a variety of ways for golf fans to get to Bethpage Black for the PGA Championship. Extra train service has been added to accommodate the tens of thousands of expected spectators that are anticipated to flood Farmingdale for the tournament from Monday, May 13 through Sunday, May 19. According to the MTA, as many as 18,000 fans per day are expected to use the LIRR to reach the tournament, and there will be no parking available at the course.  Once fans reach the Farmingdale LIRR station, there will be complimentary shuttle buses provided by the PGA will be available …

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by Zak Failla
News
MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay
MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay The MTA has launched an extensive investigation regarding “massive” overtime payments that saw its workers earn more than $400 million in overtime last year. Despite a year fraught with delayed, canceled and stalled trains, as well as the seventh fare hike in less than a decade, a new study released by Empire Center found that MTA’s overtime rose by nearly 16 percent last year. In total, the MTA shelled out $418 million in overtime more than five times what the anticipated price hike that took effect this week is expected to generate. In response, MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick F…

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by Zak Failla
News
Lawsuit Filed Against LIRR, MTA For Failing To Comply With ADA Act Lawsuit Filed Against LIRR, MTA For Failing To Comply With ADA Act
Lawsuit Filed Against Lirr, MTA For Failing To Comply With ADA Act The MTA and Long Island Railroad are facing lawsuits accusing them of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act over wheelchair access at certain stations. News 12 reported that Raymond Harewood, an Air Force veteran from North Amityville, is among four suing the MTA and LIRR for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The report states that Harewood cannot use the Amityville LIRR station, the closest to his home, because it is not wheelchair-accessible. The four suing are not demanding cash, just change, asking that elevators are installed at the Amityville, Copiague and Lindenh…

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by Zak Failla
News
MTA Employees' 'Massive' Overtime Pay Under Scrutiny MTA Employees' 'Massive' Overtime Pay Under Scrutiny
MTA Employees' 'Massive' Overtime Pay Under Scrutiny Overtime pay at the MTA has gone off the rails, with the agency paying its workers more than $400 million in overtime last year, including $344,000 to one Long Island Railroad employee and 25 Metro-North employees that doubled their salaries in overtime. Despite a year fraught with delayed, canceled and stalled trains, as well as the seventh fare hike in less than a decade, a new study released by Empire Center found that MTA’s overtime rose by nearly 16 percent last year. In total, the MTA shelled out $418 million in overtime more than five times what the anticipated price hike that took …

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by Zak Failla