February LIRR ridership up from year prior

February was a good month for the Long Island Rail Road, which reported increased ridership and record on-time performance figures.

It marked the sixth straight month the LIRR has carried more riders than it did during the same month the previous year. The positive trend follows nearly three years of ridership losses for the LIRR, which last year fell behind Metro-North Commuter Railroad for the first time as the busiest commuter railroad in the United States.

The LIRR carried nearly 6.4 million riders last month -- roughly 6.1 percent more than it did during February 2011. Including the additional February day because of the leap year, the increase was 9.2 percent.

While acknowledging that last month's unseasonably warm weather didn't hurt, LIRR president Helena Williams said she believes the latest ridership figures are another indication Long Island is recovering economically.

"I think that we're no longer lagging behind the New York City job market," said Williams, who added the LIRR is bringing back riders who are "traveling to high-paid, skilled jobs."

Long Island Association president Kevin Law agreed the ridership gains are evidence of Nassau and Suffolk counties bouncing back.

"While we're not out of the woods, we'll take every bit of good news that we can," Law said. With the ridership increase, he said, it's critical for the state and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to invest in infrastructure.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

Law applauded Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the state Legislature for reaching a deal Monday to fully fund the MTA's current capital plan, which includes LIRR projects such as adding a second track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma.

The LIRR also had greater success getting more riders to their destinations on time. Last month, 96.4 percent of trains were punctual -- the best on-time performance ever for the month of February.

The LIRR said it had five morning rush hours and one evening rush hour in February when 100 percent of its trains were on time.

Again, the weather was a factor. Williams said beefed-up efforts to handle recurring track problems that cause frequent delays also helped.

LIRR Commuter Council chairman Mark Epstein said the figures are good news, but pointed out that the LIRR defines "on-time" as no more than 5 minutes and 59 seconds late.

"If you're six minutes late to work, you're not on time," Epstein said.