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LIRR Passengers Face Nightmare Commute Following 'Disabled' Train

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- Passengers who used the Long Island Rail Road Tuesday were less than thrilled after many said they experienced long delays, and little information.

Robert Deckard recalled an uncomfortable feeling of being sandwiched with a confused crowd of commuters without a train in sight.

"Nobody said anything. They just left people standing there. Nobody said nothing. Nobody could find out what was going on. Even some of the workers when you asked them, they didn't even know," Deckard told CBS2's Jennifer McLogan.

The railroad later explained that services stalled at 5 p.m. due to a "disabled train stuck on the tracks and the resulting shortage of equipment."

By 11:30 p.m., most LIRR lines were back operating on schedule.

Some frustrated passengers told CBS2 the experience evoked memories of last Monday's post-blizzard service: aged equipment buried in snow, icy tracks and frozen switches, and major service challenges amid conflicting, inaccurate updates.

"We are in 2016 now. We have electronics, computers, a lot going on.... Better communication would be good, especially through devices," LIRR Commuter Tracy Edwards said.

The LIRR was established in 1834, has 700 miles of track, and 124 stations. Its almost 88 million riders is at its highest in 66 years.

LIRR and Governor Andrew Cuomo recently gave a renewed push for a third track on the main line between Floral Park and Hicksville. Cuomo said the additional track will increase service, reduce congestion and allow the LIRR to provide reverse-peak trains during traditional business hours.

 

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