Letter: LIRR conductors are understaffed

In response to the letter "LIRR conductors not vigilant" [Sept. 6], it is clear the great majority of the riding public is not aware of the tremendous responsibilities and federal requirements of Long Island Rail Road conductors. These responsibilities far outweigh just collecting tickets.

It is also clear that the riding public is seeing firsthand where the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the LIRR have chosen to cut costs during these difficult times. Less service and fewer employees working on the trains and in the field have misled riders to believe railroad employees are not "vigilant" when they see a passenger ride for free. That could not be further from the truth.

Generations of railroad families have made railroading a way of life, dedicated to serving the public. Safety, security and the dedication to serving our riders are priorities to all railroad workers. The problem is that railroad workers are no longer running the place nor making decisions on how to cut costs.

Instead, LIRR customers are sold a bag of goods that includes expensive technology, unrealistic initiatives and unfunded projects that will not get them to work on time. Union workers want to provide customers with what every survey clearly asks for: real on-time performance, clean trains and facilities, quality service and communication with human beings.

Our customers need to demand that we stop hiring pencil-pushing consultants who sit behind a desk to figure out how to save money. The public needs and wants workers who are willing to break a sweat and contribute to the quality of their daily ride.

Anthony Simon, Babylon

Editor's note: The writer is the general chairman of the United Transportation Union, which represents LIRR conductors.