LIRR delays caused by car problems up 31%, state report says

LIRR delays caused by train car problems were up by nearly a third last year, compared with pre-COVID levels, according to a new state report.

The report by the office of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli noted that service disruptions caused by mechanical or maintenance problems could get worse if the pause on the MTA’s congestion pricing plan affects the railroad’s ability to buy new trains.

Long Island Rail Road officials, responding to the report, pointed out that the railroad has recently been exceeding its on-time performance goals, even as it runs more service than ever before.

The comptroller's report noted that the LIRR’s 17,064 delays last year were fewer than the 17,682 delays in 2019, the last year when the LIRR operated without the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The delays fell even though the railroad operated 55,000 more trains last year than in 2019 because of the opening of Grand Central Madison last year.

The LIRR carried 65.2 million riders in 2023, fewer than the 91.1 million it carried in 2019.

The LIRR considers a train late if it arrives at its final destination more than 5 minutes and 59 seconds after its scheduled time.

But while overall delays were down in 2023 compared with 2019, delays caused by train problems increased by 31%, according the report.

In a statement, DiNapoli called the rise in delays caused by train problems “troubling … because it comes at a time when LIRR needs good service to help convince riders to come back.”

The report noted that delays caused by mechanical or maintenance-related problems could be alleviated by purchasing new trains. But it also pointed out that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to postpone the implementation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s congestion pricing plan, which would have generated funding for transit infrastructure projects, could mean that “the funding of new train cars may be delayed even further, leading to more delays from train car problems.”

Michael Cortez, spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the LIRR’s parent organization, said in a statement that railroad riders “have enjoyed on-time performance of 95.7% year to date.” That’s above the LIRR’s goal of running 94% of its trains on time.

“This is all the more impressive when you consider that the railroad is also providing 40% more service,” said Cortez.

DiNapoli’s report estimated the average LIRR delay in 2023 was 11.2 minutes. The longest delay occurred on Aug. 27, when a Port Jefferson-bound train was held up by more than three hours because of police activity. 

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.