LIRR revamps ‘seat-drop’ newsletter for riders

The new LIRR president’s promise to change how the railroad communicates with riders includes an overhaul of the agency’s monthly newsletter.

Commuters boarding trains Friday found the monthly “TrainTalk” newsletter replaced with “MyLIRR.” The revamped “seat-drop” newsletter, which is also published on the LIRR’s website, includes a message to riders from Phil Eng, who replaced Pat Nowakowski as president of the railroad earlier this month.

“I am extremely honored and privileged to have the opportunity to lead the Long Island Rail Road as President,” Eng wrote in his message.

Eng reviewed a number of changes he’s already enacted in his first two weeks on the job, including having LIRR train crews provide information on subway delays, and ordering some initiatives in the railroad’s Performance Improvement Plan to be completed sooner.

Eng also told riders to “stay tuned for a rollout of a user-friendly dashboard” that would allow them to track the LIRR’s progress.

LIRR spokeswoman Sarah Armaghan called “MyLIRR” evidence of Eng’s commitment “to real, meaningful change at the railroad, especially when it comes to how customers receive information.”

“He wants to maintain an open dialogue with the public, and the name ‘MyLIRR’ shows that customers come first,” Armaghan said. “We felt this was a good time to refresh its look, to let customers know that we are listening to their feedback and presenting information in a more modern, accessible way.”

In addition to familiar features from the newsletter’s previous version, including the latest on-time performance statistics and service change information, the April “MyLIRR” has an “LIRR Throwback Photo” of Jamaica Station in 1878.

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.