Updated, 11:11 a.m.: Service on the Long Island Rail Road has resumed after a damaged third rail caused mass delays across the system, the agency announced just before 11 a.m. While residual delays are expected, the LIRR tweeted that its service is “on or close to schedule” in and out of Penn Station. As such, NYC Transit is no longer cross-honoring LIRR tickets on city subways.
NYC Transit is no longer cross-honoring LIRR tickets following earlier delays and cancellations caused by damaged third rail in one of Amtrak’s East River tunnels.
— LIRR (@LIRR) January 3, 2018
The LIRR is on or close to schedule in and out of Penn following delays caused by third rail damage in one of Amtrak’s East River tunnels.
— LIRR (@LIRR) January 3, 2018
Original story, 10:45 a.m.: It’s a new year, but Long Island Rail Road passengers are facing the same old commuting issues into Penn Station during this morning’s rush-hour commute.
The commuting chaos was due to a damaged third rail in one of Amtrak’s East River tunnels and caused delays, changes and cancellations across the LIRR.
A representative for Amtrak, which owns and maintains the tracks in and out of Penn Station, told Metro just after 10 a.m. that “LIRR customers should expect delays on trains in and out of Penn Station due to an issue with the third rail near the East River Tunnels in Queens,” adding that “initial reports are that this is not weather-related, the rail is just out of alignment.”
Though he did not specify how the track was taken out of alignment, he did say repairs on it have been completed and that other, unspecified repairs are “currently underway, but I don’t have an exact time yet when they will be done.”
It is unknown at this time if this issue will continue into the evening rush-hour.
As of 9:40 a.m., the LIRR said in a tweet that it is experiencing delays of about 10 to 15 minutes in and out of Penn Station.
NYC Transit is continuing to cross-honor tickets on the E train at Jamaica (Sutphin/Archer), Kew Gardens (Union Turnpike) and Forest Hills (71st Avenue), as well as on 2/3 trains at Atlantic Terminal and 34th Street. It is also cross-honoring on the 7 train at Woodside (61st Street).
The LIRR is experiencing delays averaging 10-15 minutes in and out of Penn Station due to third rail damage in one of Amtrak’s East River tunnels. Additionally, LIRR train service is restored between Atlantic and Jamaica while crews work to repair a broken rail near Nostrand Ave.
— LIRR (@LIRR) January 3, 2018
NYC Transit continues to cross-honoring tickets for the E train at Jamaica (Sutphin/Archer), Kew Gardens (Union Turnpike) and Forest Hills (71st Avenue); at Atlantic Terminal and 34th Street for the 2/3 train; and on the 7 train at Woodside (61st).
— LIRR (@LIRR) January 3, 2018
For the most up-to-date info on the LIRR service changes, visit mta.info or follow @LIRR on Twitter.
