Signal problems and weather issues caused a series of headaches for Long Island Rail Road commuters during Monday’s evening rush hour. Stefan Holt reports.
Signal problems and weather issues caused a series of headaches for Long Island Rail Road commuters during Monday's evening rush hour.
A tree fell on the tracks east of Flushing as severe storms rolled through, halting service on the railroad's Port Washington branch in both directions.
The tracks were cleared and service was restored at 8 p.m. after a delay of nearly four hours.
"I mean they can't control every tree but I would like the signal problem fixed. Every time there is bad weather, it's a potential problem," said Long Beach commuter Emanuel Voyiaziakias.
"Two and a half hours," one commuter said of the time he waited. "That's not normal, definitely not normal."
All service between Penn Station, Atlantic Terminal and Jamaica was suspended in both directions due to weather-related signal trouble at 7 p.m., the MTA said.
Social media posts showed narrow corridors packed to the gills with commuters. Penn Station was so crowded that transit police temporarily closed access into Penn Station.
"Get your acts together, enough is enough," said Long Beach commuter Noel Morganze. "We pay good money. It's ridiculous."
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Voyiaziakias passed the time catching up on TV shows.
"Last episode of 'Hell on Wheels,' episode 57," he said.
By 8 p.m., LIRR had restored limited eastbound service from Penn Station and restored westbound service.
During the soggy, chaotic commute, it was even raining inside some of the train cars — video shows water gushing down from the ceiling of an LIRR train.
