LIRR on or close to schedule after signal problem

The Long Island Rail Road was back on or close to schedule after a signal problem in one of the East River tunnels leading to Penn Station caused delays and the cancellation of at least three Long Island Rail Road trains during the morning rush hour Wednesday, officials said.

The cancellations were part of a contingency plan implemented by the railroad to reduce delays and keep the rush-hour schedule intact, a spokesman said.

The LIRR had reported delays of up to 25 minutes on trains going into Penn Station.

In addition to the cancellations, trains were diverted to the Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn - where New York City Transit was honoring tickets for subway fare to Manhattan.

The railroad has 115 morning rush-hour trains.

The affected tunnels are owned and operated by Amtrak. The railroad uses those tunnels under an agreement.

Railroad spokesman Rich Mendelson said Amtrak had not told the LIRR what caused the signal problem or how long the situation would take to repair.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

The issue began at about 7 a.m., Mendelson said.

The signal problem affected westbound trains. No eastbound trains were affected.