LIRR adds more shuttle trains to Brooklyn after chaos in first week with Grand Central Madison service
NEW YORK -- The Long Island Rail Road is increasing rush hour service to Brooklyn, lengthening trains that serve Penn Station and adding cars to all trains that exceeded capacity last week.
It is also promising to improve customer service at Jamaica Station.
As Monday's evening commute peaked, CBS2 saw a rush to get on trains for trips that some say are longer and more crowded.
It was another day, another round of LIRR changes.
"It's not getting any better," rider Kami Ohebshalom said.
READ MORE: LIRR commuters hope Hochul, MTA live up to their words and next week's changes improve service
Three shuttle trains were rushed into service after days of chaos and tied-up tracks, resulting from schedule changes and the new Grand Central Madison terminal.
"You miss a shuttle, it's another 20 minutes that you have to wait," said Julia Saka of Wantagh.
"It's just a heavier commute going in and out every day," added Haynes Harris of Baldwin.
While some told CBS2 they see service improvements, others described Monday as more of a mess.
"You got to get this straightened out. People need to get to work,' said Laura Gorman of Northport.
Frustrated commuters have been on social media sharing videos of train cars with no available seats and overly packed platforms.
The MTA has added cars. Trains that had eight now have 10. Trains with 10 get 12, and so on, increasing the odds of getting seats.
Some riders said they've been forced to change stations and commute times.
"I have to wake up early and I get to work later," one woman said.
"We are all outraged. The community is outraged," Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino said as he led a rally to demand better service. "Communities on the Oyster Bay line already face limited Long Island Rail Road service due to its miles of an electrified track. The schedule changes are making an existing problem worse."
MTA customer service workers are visible on platforms answering questions, but what commuters are demanding is rollback schedules with more direct Point A to Point B service, without detours.
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