For the first time since Hurricane Sandy hit the area six weeks ago Long Island Railroad commuters have regular rush hour service restored.
More rush hour Long Island Rail Road trains are on the way and that's good news for riders who have felt the squeeze the past six weeks.
"It's crowded, no seats on the train, I'm standing up with heavy bags," said one commuter.
"I'll be forced to stand up most of the time I'm coming and going," added another.
It's been a rocky month and a half for Long Island Rail Road since Sandy wreaked havoc on its tracks and flooded two of four East River tunnels.
The massive flooding, seen in security camera footage, forced the MTA to cut back on peak hour service.
"Two of four tunnels were under water, signal cases that control the train traffic were completely destroyed they had to be rebuilt," said Joe Caldarone of the LIRR.
But now after weeks of round the clock repairs, the tunnels have been drained and repaired, and all weekday service will finally be restored to what it was per-Sandy.
"Whatever trains you were using prior to the storm just about six weeks ago for rush hour period, you can now go back to using regular AM and PM trains," added Calderone.
"I think it's great news – yeah sure," said one LIRR rider.
"I hope it's going to be better, I hope it's going to be cleared up and I hope everybody's going to get to ride on the train and get seats on the train," added one hopeful commuter.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:52:57 GMT
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
A lawsuit filed in 2005 claiming a suburban New York community discriminated against minorities in the way it approved local zoning policies is getting an airing in federal court.
A lawsuit filed in 2005 claiming a suburban New York community discriminated against minorities in the way it approved local zoning policies is getting an airing in federal court.
Saturday, June 15 2013 9:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 01:19:35 GMT
Long Island environmental officials say they are looking for another alligator seen in a river. According to Newsday, state Department of Environmental Conservation say the gator was reported on Sunday night and was confirmed by officers on Wednesday. The sighting is the fifth in the same area of the Peconic River where DEC officials captured four alligators in April.
Long Island environmental officials say they are looking for another alligator seen in a river. According to Newsday, state Department of Environmental Conservation say the gator was reported on Sunday night and was confirmed by officers on Wednesday. The sighting is the fifth in the same area of the Peconic River where DEC officials captured four alligators in April.
Saturday, June 15 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-06-15 23:32:29 GMT
A pharmacist on Long Island defended himself from an attempted robbery by firing shots at the suspect Friday afternoon. Police say the incident happened inside Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Bellmore around 3:30 p.m. 43-year-old Marc Gumpert entered the pharmacy and demanded the drugs Ritalin and Dilaudid. The 34-year-old pharmacist complied and handed over the drugs, but followed Gumpert outside. The pharmacist saw Gumpert inside his car. Gumpert saw the pharmacist, got out of...
A pharmacist on Long Island defended himself from an attempted robbery by firing shots at the suspect Friday afternoon. Police say the incident happened inside Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Bellmore around 3:30 p.m. 43-year-old Marc Gumpert entered the pharmacy and demanded the drugs Ritalin and Dilaudid. The 34-year-old pharmacist complied and handed over the drugs, but followed Gumpert outside. The pharmacist saw Gumpert inside his car. Gumpert saw the pharmacist, got out of...
