Full service to Grand Central Madison starts with Monday morning's commute
NEW YORK -- Grand Central Madison terminal took 25 years to complete, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it will save Long Island Rail Road riders commuting to Manhattan's East Side a significant amount of time.
Monday's commute will look a lot different for many riders from Nassau and Suffolk counties heading to Manhattan. The new terminal marks the first time in 100 years the LIRR has expanded service.
We're talking about 274 additional trains each weekday. That's a 41% increase in service systemwide.
The MTA says the LIRR is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, and Grand Central Madison will link the rest of the region to Long Island.
"We will use it very often," Jamaica resident Pedro Osorio said.
"That would be perfect, because we do have to wait, what? Thirty minutes for each train?" added Shatoya Cadore of Far Rockaway.
The new terminal was built under the original terminal, stretching from 43rd to 48th street.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and MTA Chairman Janno Lieber took a ride from Grand Central Madison to Jamaica station on Sunday.
"Thousands and thousands of Long Islanders and others who work on the East Side will get the convenience they crave. They won't have to cross town in the rain, heat, sleet, snow just to get to work," Schumer said.
READ MORE: MTA: Full Long Island Rail Road service at Grand Central Madison starts Feb. 27
Many are anticipating a much smoother commute from the Jamaica station to the East Side of the city.
"Penn Station is a hassle, so I would just take a cab," said Benji Rubenstein of Midtown.
"I will be able to eat breakfast sitting down instead of having my coffee in a rush," added Maria Osorio of Jamaica.
While the new service is expected to save time for commuters heading to the new Madison terminal, other Long Island commuters say the changes will actually lengthen their commute.
READ MORE: CBS2 rides LIRR from Jamaica to Midtown East to check out new Grand Central Madison
Riders on the Oyster Bay branch have launched a petition saying they've been neglected on the new schedules, citing more times in between trains, lengthening commutes, and that all trains don't sync up for the change at Jamaica.
"There will no longer be any timed connections waiting for you to transfer. They'll now load up and leave," said Charlton D'Souza, president of Passengers United.
As for Monday, all 11 branches of the LIRR will offer service to Grand Central Madison. Officials said the TrainTime app is the best way to check the new schedule.