Question for LIRR commuters...

kpny622 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 12:55 PM

Question for LIRR commuters...

Does anyone actually LIKE commuting? We'll be moving to LI from NYC and everyone is scaring me about how miserable it is. Any suggestions for how to make it bearable?

xjulietx Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:03 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

I have been commuting for almost 5 years and some days it is HORRIBLE and other days, I look forward to spending an hour taking a nap or reading a magazine on my way home.

The LIRR is what makes it miserable.

corinne7477 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:04 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

its not bad i used to commute by car 45-1 hour each day from smithtown to uniondale and hated it. i take the train from huntington to the city and dont mind it. it is still 1 hour but i get the newspaper delivered and read it on the train, sleep or play games on my palm pilot. beat putting miles on my car and i can actually relax in the morning instead of worrying about traffic and an accident. im not saying the lirr is so wonderful there are delays and problems too but i dont mind.

jozieb0925 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:09 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

Get a mail and ride pass..It saves you money and beats the lines..

CherylBooch Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:10 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

You'll hear most people have a love/hate relationship.

I as well TREASURE my little naps, reading some terrific books and not having the stress of traffic and accidents.
But-
There are those days where the train is late, slow, crowded and I curse the LIRR. I also hate when I miss a train, & I have to wait until the next one.

But all in all, I will say that I have more good commuting days than I do bad.

kpny622 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:10 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

Posted by jozieb0925

Get a mail and ride pass..It saves you money and beats the lines..

what is this?

how often are there delays? I'll be commuting out of Huntington...

is there usually always a seat?

jozieb0925 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:14 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

Posted by kpny622

Posted by jozieb0925

Get a mail and ride pass..It saves you money and beats the lines..

what is this?

how often are there delays? I'll be commuting out of Huntington...

is there usually always a seat?

Basically, you can order your monthly ticket by mail. They charge your credit card every month and mail you your ticket. It's really easy!! I think you can get the forms in Penn Station. I used to commute from Syosset (which is the same line as Huntington and second stop after Huntington) and I always got a seat...with no problem. I used to take the 7:35 am train..Coming home, I usually tried to catch the 5:35, I always got a seat as well...unless you showed up 2 minutes b4 the train left...but there is another train 15 minutes later..5:45..so it's not too bad if you want to wait..

Expect delays ever-now-and-than..it's really not bad at all...the other commuters can get a little pushy and annoying..that's what was more aggrevating IMO..

kpny622 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:17 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

thanks for the info

does anyone know how the parking situation is at Huntington?

corinne7477 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:21 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

i take the train out of huntington i take the 7:45 train there are seats if you get in the door first. this train is popular becuase you have all the school boys going to shamand in mineola. the 7:32 is great goes to csharbor, syosset then straight to Hunterspoint avenue. there is a 7:35 that stops at spharbor and then straight to Penn station.

heres the link to mail and ride it will tell you how much you will save. prices are suppose to go up in march

mail and ride

we have flex spending for transportation some have transit check where i dont pay tax on my transportation. you should find out what HR has.

D&J Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:21 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

I take the train everyday and I enjoy it a heck of a lot better then being stuck in traffic everyday.

In the AM most ppl read the newspaper/magazine or catch those last few before work.

In the PM most ppl read a magazine or take a power nap before they get home. My afternoon train ride I usually meet the same ladies everyday and we just chat the whole way home.

LIRR isnt always a breeze tho, just be prepared for days when there are delays, but you have to tell yourself, it's better then driving into the city & sitting in stand-still traffic in your car. Were all at the LIRR mercy either way you look at it.

Happy Riding!

corinne7477 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:22 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

there are 2 parking garages. dont forget to get a parking pass for your car at town hall it cost $30 for a year. both garages are good the brick one packs out by the 8am train.

DeniseMang Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:27 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

I hate it. I have been doing it for 10 years and I am dying to work on LI.. But someday I might be in traffic cursing and wishing i was back on the LIRR...

I just think it takes a lot of hours out of my day. I commute almost 2 hours each way..

kpny622 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:31 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

Posted by DeniseMang

I hate it. I have been doing it for 10 years and I am dying to work on LI.. But someday I might be in traffic cursing and wishing i was back on the LIRR...

I just think it takes a lot of hours out of my day. I commute almost 2 hours each way..

Wow, that is a long time.

I wish LI had more good jobs too! :)

ChristineC68 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 01:36 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

I don't mind the train that much...for the most part it runs well but when it doesn't it seems to be out of whack for a few days in a row which is really irritating.

But I HATE penn station!! If I could live the rest of my life and never go in there again, I could be a much happier person.

FLaCaTaCa Posted: Dec 10, 2004 02:02 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

OMG! I love commuting on the LIRR!!!!

I don't like commuting out on the weekends to LI but as sick as it sounds....I love the mornings into Penn!!!!

I purposely stay out by Pat so I have an excuse to do it!!!!

ETA: Sure the trains are late sometimes but so is my Express bus and the subway and the ferry and traffic when driving.

Niecey Posted: Dec 10, 2004 02:17 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

I moved from a NYC/Queens lifestyle to the LIRR commute. Everyone complains about the LIRR but I don't mind the LIRR. I don't think the service is too bad at all. Sure there are delays but for the most part they are controlled and not too too often. And it is rare that I get on e train where I don't get a seat. I think people forget that no transportation system is perfect.

What took me awhile to get use to was being on a LIRR schedule and the added time it takes to my day. Living in NYC or Queens - I had a 30 minutes commute door to door and could hop in a cab whenever I wanted for under $15. Now I have an hour and 15 minutes and I have to be on the mercy of the LIRR schedule. Ican't come and go as I pelase like I was use to from city living. Now that I am pregnant I sleep on my commute but before that I would use it to read (which I could never do with my old commute) or catch up on work I bring home with me.

kpny622 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 02:44 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

Posted by Niecey

What took me awhile to get use to was being on a LIRR schedule and the added time it takes to my day. Living in NYC or Queens - I had a 30 minutes commute door to door and could hop in a cab whenever I wanted for under $15. Now I have an hour and 15 minutes and I have to be on the mercy of the LIRR schedule. Ican't come and go as I pelase like I was use to from city living.

Yes this is particularly what I have been thinking about because I've been so spoiled for the last 8 years! Now I get home at 6:30, relax, make dinner, watch tv, do household chores, and can stay up later since I don't have to wake up until 7:30. Now I'll be getting home at 8 if I am lucky, wolfing down take-out, and going directly to sleep so I can wake up before 6.

DeniseMang Posted: Dec 10, 2004 02:49 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

Where does your DH work? Will he be in NYC too? My DH works on LI, he gets home at 6 and I get home around 7:15. He cooks dinner. But it is still like 8:30 by the time dishes are done, kitchen cleaned up. The night just FLYS by. Now being preggo, its really difficult! Sorry to be such a downer.

kpny622 Posted: Dec 10, 2004 03:03 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

Posted by DeniseMang

Where does your DH work? Will he be in NYC too? My DH works on LI, he gets home at 6 and I get home around 7:15. He cooks dinner. But it is still like 8:30 by the time dishes are done, kitchen cleaned up. The night just FLYS by. Now being preggo, its really difficult! Sorry to be such a downer.

He works all over - NY, LI, other states - depending on the day. I'm glad to hear your thoughts, after all, I will hopefully be pregnant someday too so it's useful advice.

I guess I'll just plan on LIVING FOR THE WEEKENDS!

PrincessConsuela Posted: Dec 10, 2004 03:13 PM

Re: Question for LIRR commuters...

i love it more then spending the same amount of time in traffic on li. it has its positives and negatives. but no road rage for me so that is a good thing...
I cannot keep my eyes open on the train anymore i just sleep. I love that part of my day.