By Railfan & Railroad Staff
The Long Island Rail Road introduced a newly revamped system-wide schedule on Monday as it increases train service in and out of Grand Central Madison. According to the railroad, the new station below Grand Central Terminal will be served by 296 daily trains and service across the entire system will increase by 41 percent.
In January, LIRR opened the new Grand Central Madison station, a long-awaited terminal that allows the railroad to serve the east side of Manhatten for the first time in its history. Since January 25, the railroad has been running limited shuttle services between Jamaica and Grand Central while planners figured out the new schedule.
“This is the biggest service increase in LIRR history,” said Catherine Rinaldi, Interim President of the Long Island Rail Road and President of Metro-North Railroad. “Long Islanders will benefit from a combination of Grand Central Madison service, the new LIRR Main Line third track and a second NYC terminal that links to the east side. The LIRR has created a new schedule with robust reverse commute service that links the entire region to Long Island’s homes, jobs, entertainment and education.”
All eleven branches of the LIRR will offer service to Grand Central Madison and Penn Station, in some cases via transfers. The full schedule can be found online.