LIRR stands for the Long Island Rail Road and is the commuter rail service. The core of a rail-oriented transportation network connects Long Island with New York City. Long Island Rail Road is one of the largest commuter railroads in the United States and serves over 80 LIRR stations, with service extending from Manhattan to eastern Long Island. World’s busiest commuter rail systems run 24/7 throughout the year. According to 2022 ridership stats, the railroad carries almost 49,167,600 passengers annually or 216,500 passengers per weekday. Metropolitan Transportation Authority Publically owns this system and is widely known as MTA Long Island Rail Road.
Lines & Stations of Rail System
The LIRR has 11 lines and 124 stations in Long Island. It started operations in 1834, having headquarters at Jamaica Station, Jamaica, NYC. Service System’s full track length is more than 700 miles (1,100 km). It is divided into two lines and subdivided into eight other branches. The branches are Far Rockaway, Oyster Bay, Montauk, Port Washington, Hempstead, Port Jefferson, Long Beach, and Green port. The train system consists of several Zones: Zone 1, Zone 4, Zone 7, Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 12, and Zone 14. Railroad trains offer multiple lines throughout Nassau, Queens, and Suffolk counties.
In Oct 2022, MTA announced that two ways train service is available for fans at the Elmont-UBS Arena Station. Catherine Rinaldi, Interim President of railroad service, says that the Elmont-UBS Arena Station lies on the LIRR’s main line, and anyone can access it via the Hicksville, Hempstead, and Ronkonkoma train lines without changing trains at Jamaica.
Are LIRR trains system diesel or electric?
Long Island Railroad runs at 80 mph (130km/h) speed and operates electric and diesel. Electric Fleet consists of 132 M9, 836 M7, and 170 M3 electric multiple-unit cars. A diesel and diesel-electric fleet contain 134 C3 bi-level rail cars. Diesel cars get power from 24 DE30AC diesel-electric locomotives. And diesel-electric fleets are powered by 20DM30AC dual-mode locomotives.
Can you smoke on Long Island Rail Road?
No, you can’t smoke on LIRR trains. MTA has prohibited smoking inside Rail Road trains and buildings since 1990. Violators would be subject to a penalty of $50 and even 30 days of jail. Other premises, like Subways, prohibit smoking also.
Does LIRR allow alcohol? Can you eat or drink on the Long Island Railroad?
Long Island Railroad permits the consumption of alcoholic beverages and allows the carrying of alcohol on trains, platforms, terminals, and stations. However, they do not tolerate any anti-social behavior. If you are found drunk and doing misconduct, you will have to leave the train.
Eating and drinking are also allowed on railroad trains unless you clean the trash and take it back off as you leave the train. Trash Bins are available on every platform. But LIRR stations do not sell any food or drink inside the cars. You can bring along what you want before boarding.
Does the Long Island Rail Road have AC?
LIRR train ventilation system consists of a roof-mounted HVAC system that is as old as a train. Each car has two units and works as an evaporator, compressor, and condenser to expand the cooling and heating capacity of the train. On the ceiling of both ends of a train, Grilles are available that draw in air through a filter. Filter process the air and returns to the car through vents on the entire train’s ceiling.
After Covid-19, an electric grid replaces the standard air filters on the train’s HVAC systems. This grid ionizes the air before returning it to the car. This air replacement cycle would kill 99.95% of airborne viruses and bacteria. A Spain-based firm (Madrid) developed this technology. Workers replace the air filters after every 92 days. The air inside a train is filtered about 44 times an hour.
Do LIRR tickets expire?
Tickets are valid for travel up to six months (including the day of travel) from the date of sale. Validity of Off-Peak Return Tickets for return travel is within one month from the date of issue.
And these tickets expire at 4:29 on the last day of validity. For initiating each return transaction, MTA charges a $10 refund processing fee.
Passengers should submit refund requests to the Tickets Refund Office and to any staffed ticket officers, where they have to fill out a form. They should give the actual original ticket or a partially used ticket. Damaged, lost, or stolen tickets are not refundable in any case. You should return monthly and weekly tickets before 9:30 am for a refund at the closest ticket office. 10-trip and 20-trip tickets are valid for 60 days from the date of sale. Unused or partially used tickets are refundable. You can claim refunds on these permits within the validity period plus two years after expiration.
Long Island Rail Road Fare Zone
Long Island Rail Road’s Fare varies and depends on the distance a passenger travels on the train. Passengers can buy tickets from Ticket Officers and Ticket Vending Machines (TAMs). In case you forget to buy, you can buy from conductors on the train. By doing so, you will have to incur an onboard penalty fee.
Peak fares consist of 6 am to 10 am for a whole week on any train scheduled to arrive in NYC Terminals. These Peak Fares are also applicable on departure from NYC Terminals at (4 pm to 8 pm) rush hours. Off-peak Fares include all other day timings except for these business hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.
Peak tickets cost more money, so try getting the train during off-peak hours to save more money. Check the LIRR Schedule first to see whether you’re traveling during peak or off-peak hours. Passengers can use MTA Train Time App to get schedules, directions, and exact fare knowledge.
Should I take the LIRR or Subway to JFK Intl Airport?
Both options are good, whether Rail Road trains or Subway to get to John F. Kennedy Intl. Airport. LIRR train is expensive but faster and famous among people.
It may take 45 minutes to get to JFK while, through Subway, you can reach there in an hour at an affordable fare. Rail Road trains also have luggage racks overhead to carry suitcases. The decision is up to you, what suits you the best.
Can I use MetroCard on Long Island Rail Road?
You cannot use a MetroCard on the LIRR. It is separate and requires a ticket. You can use a Debit or Credit Card to buy a ticket from the ticket office or vending machine. Or you can pre-book your ticket from the Train Time App.
Who owns LIRR?
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City is the owner of The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad that operates in the northern suburbs of the New York area.
MTA has been operating commuter rail systems under their original name and character since 1834. It consolidated many other companies in the late 19th Century
Why do I love the Long Island Rail Road?
- You’re not required to wait in traffic.
- You won’t have to worry about being late because the LIRR is nearly never late, it is, and it typically delays by three to five minutes.
- You don’t have to deal with the notorious Long Island drivers or rush hour traffic; you can kick back and unwind, read a book, listen to music, or take a nap.
- Finding a parking space at your destination won’t be a problem.
- You’ll save petrol on the LIRR instead of driving.
