LIRR Ridership up 2.8% on Montauk Branch
In 2013, 57,525 more rides were taken on the Montauk Branch of the Long Island Rail Road, a 2.8% increase over 2012.
The Montauk Branch, which serves the Hamptons, and as far west as Babylon, had the second highest percent increase in ridership. Port Washington saw a 3.0& hike, or 351,294 more rides.
Over summer, the LIRR made adjustments to the Montauk schedule, including moving the departure of the Friday afternoon Cannonball express train to Penn Station from Hunterspoint Avenue.
“We are seeing an increase in both commuters going to work and occasional riders,” LIRR President Helena E. Williams said. “We had the opportunity to add back some service in 2013 and we are pleased that riders are responding by using the LIRR more often to get to work as well as for leisure and other travel during the off peak periods. We believe the increase in ridership also reflects an improving Long Island and NYC economy.”
Overall, the LIRR carried 83.4 million riders in 2013, an increase of 1,640,716 passengers, or 2%, over the previous year.