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Amtrak moves up tunnel repairs in response to LIRRCC complaints

LIRRCC Joins with Representative Israel
Calling on Amtrak
to Provide Repair Timeline and Improve Communication
with LIRR Commuters

LIRRCC Chair Mark Epstein (R) joined U.S. Representative Steven Israel of the New York 2nd District today, November 27th, at a press conference in Hicksville to highlight the lack of a timeline for repairs to the two East River tunnels that were damaged from Hurricane Sandy.  According to Chair Epstein:
“Amtrak is keeping our 100,000 daily LIRR riders in the dark about the East River tunnels.  Because of the damage to the tunnels, the LIRR has been forced to cancel 26 morning rush hour and 27 evening rush hour trains.  We now have fewer, more crowded trains providing rush hour service that is more susceptible to disruption from another incident.”

Representative Israel and Chair Epstein also appeared on Fox News Good Day New York and were interviewed about the situation by co-hosts Rosanna Scotto and Dave Price.

Later in the day, the President and CEO of Amtrak, Joe Boardman, issued a press release stating that: “We understand the importance of restoring full LIRR service and are committed to doing so by the Christmas holiday. We appreciate the continued cooperation from LIRR and are diligently working to make the needed repairs.”