Letter: LIRR should seek maximum riders
There were delays of 10 to 15 minutes in both directions on the Babylon branch of the LIRR because of a broken rail east of the Amityville station, LIRR officials said. (Dec. 14, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Carl Corry
Regarding "Put some trains back on the tracks" [Editorial, Nov. 23], I agree that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority should set aside funds from this year's surplus for the Long Island Rail Road. But I suggest that money be used to generate the most ridership and revenue.
That does not necessarily equate to restoring recent cuts. Just because the LIRR's cuts last year were unpopular doesn't mean they were wrong. The LIRR must have found those extra Port Washington trains to be insufficiently used before making the difficult decision to cut them. While restoring that service would be popular, the question must be asked if it is now the most effective place to invest scarce funds.
A new train that can be filled is least vulnerable the next time cuts have to be made, and it is the surest way to accommodate, and further encourage, the ongoing increase in ridership.
Harris Schechtman, Baldwin
