LIRR trucks idle illegally, cost $40G, report says

Long Island Rail Road trucks idled illegally for more than 12,600 hours in January, according to a report issued Wednesday by the MTA inspector general, who called the practice "wasteful and environmentally destructive."

The report by Barry Kluger's office found that the LIRR's fleet of 600 highway vehicles wasted more than 13,000 gallons of fuel in January because of idling, costing the railroad $40,000. The report concluded that the annual cost of idling trucks to the LIRR could top $500,000.

The report also criticized the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's other commuter railroad, Metro-North, which it said could be wasting more than $300,000 a year because of idling trucks.

State law bans idling vehicles for longer than five minutes.

Kluger's office monitored both railroads' truck-idling habits by examining vehicle records and having investigators observe trucks being used. The LIRR uses trucks to transport workers and tools to job sites throughout its system.

"The goal of MNR [Metro-North] and LIRR must be to strengthen and enforce their policies designed to prevent excessive idling," Kluger said in a statement.

His office recommended that both railroads "avoid idling that is illegal or otherwise unnecessary." They could do so by revising vehicle policies and procedures, educating managers and employees, and "imposing appropriate discipline," according to the report.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

The LIRR and Metro-North accepted the recommendations.

MTA spokesman Sam Zambuto said the agency's chief engineer issued several directives to employees reminding them of the state law. Idling minutes dropped by 46 percent in May compared with the same month last year, and by 62 percent in June, he said.

The LIRR also is changing its policies to address the state law and creating a management unit to ensure compliance.

Metro-North is also reviewing its policies and procedures to reduce idling, Zambuto said. The railroad will install devices on its vehicles that can track idling times. The LIRR already has such systems in its vehicles.

"Unquestionably, these efforts will result in financial savings and a cleaner environment," Kluger said.