25% LIRR Increase; $2 Subway Fare

thanks! I have to sometimes go to NYC and even though I get reimbursed i want to make sure I take enough money!

How can you guys raise the fares and go to sleep at night. We are in a major recession and barely making it here on LI. We spend 12-13 hours a day trekking into Manhattan in deplorable conditions just to provide our family with a roof over their heads and food to eat. And, you have the nerve to increase our fares. You know the DEPLORABLE conditions we ride under day in and day out, rude conductors, rhickety trains, shall I go on???? I wouldn't mind a 25% increase if I saw somewhat of a change in the service provided. This last year is the worst I have seen in 10 years. You guys really stink and I will tell you one thing, if this fare hike comes into effect, I will not be the only one leaving the LIRR. Yes, I will quit my job in NYC. Why should I bother anymore. 25% increase on the LIRR, tokens $2, the 12-13 hours I put in. I can make just as much money on LI now (with all these increases). Hmm, I wonder if you are doing me a favor? I would rather give my talent and skills to LI and make LI boom. Maybe making more people leave the City and follow my lead. We don't need your dirty, old, smelly train. I await the day you are no longer in business, because you stink LIRR.

I am up for a strike! But what would a one day strike do? They already have our money. I say a one month strike! Boy oh boy would I love to do that! Come on girls. We have so much power (Marc, Videomaker). Lets pick each other's brains and figure out a way to get back at the LIRR! I am steaming right now.

That just bites the big one!! I used to be a LIRR commuter, but am very happy I found a job on LI. But I know how you feel. I often wrote letters to the MTA/LIRR describing my woes. No one ever responded.

My biggest complaint with the LIRR was on President's Day in 1996 (I remember it like it was yesterday). I had to work, as did hundreds of other people, and the LIRR was on holiday schedule, which we all know means one train an hour for each line. I was commuting from RVC on the Babylon line. The train was making local stops, so by the time I got on, there was no room anywhere. The aisles were full and I was the last one in so I got smushed up against the door.

The train continued on it's snail pace (I had nicknamed the LIRR the silver snail) when it came to Woodside, which was under major platform reconstruction at the time. Conductor gets on and announces the stop, saying due to the short platform, only the first 4 cars would platform and if you wanted to exit, please walk up.

I didn't think anything of it at the time because
1.) I was not getting off and
2. I was in the 5th car.

However, as I stood smooshed up against the door, it suddenly opened!! The momentum immediately began to push me out the door, and onto the open tracks below it (yep, not platform there!). Thank heaven the huge man I was initially annoyed at, because he took up a lot of room, reached out and literally grabbed me by my coat/scarf and saved me from going out the train. I couldn't believe I was almost sent hurdling to the tracks because of the conductors mistake. We made a complaint, but as you guessed it, it never went anywhere......

Thus I don't miss the LIRR one bit.

This fare hike bothers me on so many levels.

The obvious would the size of the increase - 25% for LIRR & Metro North and 33% for the subway, buses and express bus.

This at a time when most companies are laying off people, cutting or freezing salaries. I highly doubt my company would give me a 25% raise to accomodate my increase in transportation.

The level of service on the LIRR has been atrocious this winter. I understand that we had a lot of bad weather but that I think is when the MTA should try to step up service b/c of increased ridership due to dangerous driving conditions.

The day after the Presidents day blizzard, I along with a lot of you, waited over 2 hours for a train. I am standing there listening to the announcement of system wide delays of 30-60 minutes meanwhile the media is announcing 2 hour delays. If WPLJ knows this, I am sure the LIRR knows and should let the riders know.

And most of all, I have no choice but to pay!

I could switch to the bus and subway which would reduce my cost by 40% but increase my travel time by atleast 100%

Unless I drive into manhattan and pay the increased tolls on the midtown tunnel and $20 per day to park.

This is not a time where I feel confident that I could replace my salary after leaving a job I love so I can work closer to home.

I was considering paying April's bill late with a note
'I am sorry for the unavoidable delay'

Make sure you are all writing your comments to the management via the e-mail system. I also think Gov. Pataki should think twice before he runs again. THis is partly his fault, and he is allowing this.

claud
someone in this thread said APRIL 1
boy they do not waste any time

Trish ... that's a horrifying story!! I don't know how you ever got back on a train after that! Thank god for that man.

I'm lucky not to have to take the train ... when I do its off peak & not terrible, but I pick up & drop off DH at the train everyday. I know what he goes through. Its disgusting that they charge as much as they do!

Luckily for us, his office will be moving to White Plains w/i the year. We can't wait! I agree, misty ... take your talent & skill & bring it to LI!