Subject
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What Is The Excuse For the Idiocy of November 13th?

Discussion Thread
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Response (Kevin Kade) – 11/15/2007 09:18 AM
Dear xxxx:

We have received your email regarding the Railroad’s performance in
November. Thank you for taking the time to write.

First, we apologize for any difficulties you have experienced as the result
of delays on your trains … and we make no excuses for them. We will try to
answer your questions however, and give you the reasons and/or facts behind
those delays.

Your estimate of train numbers was correct … it was one train. But that
train failed in an essential place and caused extensive delays on all of our
branches of up to and exceeding 30 minutes. The train failed in one of the
four tunnels that connect Penn Station with Long Island. Those tunnels are
owned by Amtrak (as is Penn Station) and shared by the LIRR, New Jersey
Transit and Amtrak. Having just one of them blocked during rush hour is a
serious problem that always leads to significant delays. Can we do better in
these circumstances? Probably not. With 25% of our ability to move equipment
eliminated, during rush hour when the entire operation of each rail system
is operating at maximum capacity, we believe we are maximizing our options.

The closing of Penn Station in these circumstances is handled by the New
York City Police Department and the New York City Fire Department. LIRR
employees operate on the LIRR Concourse level in Penn.

While we understand your frustration just after and/or during a major
service disruption, here are two other facts that may lend some perspective:
the LIRR’s On Time Performance for the year 2007 is the highest OTP we have
ever recorded for a year. There are still two tough (weather wise) months to
go, but we are hoping (and striving) to break the old record … and then to
build on a new one. Also, up until this incident occurred (where the
mechanical failure of one train ruined the evening for most of our
customers), our OTP for November was the best the Railroad has ever recorded
for the month of November.

Finally, we don’t want to leave the impression that we are satisfied with
OTP numbers of 94% or slightly higher … our goals are higher, and we hope
to provide you with better service in the future.

Sincerely,
K.Kade/PublicAffairs

Also, please tell me why there were no employees posted at the entrances
(which were closed) or at strategic areas (such as near the New Jersey
Transit concourse (where I was herded) or the 34th street entrance (also
closed).

It is not just me but there are hundreds of thousands of people that are
sick and tired of every delay being treated like the first time it has ever
happend.  Has there NEVER BEEN A STUCK TRAIN IN A TUNNEL BEFORE?  Can’t your
organization deal with it any better?

Why is it that whenever there is some sort of issue, your entire operation
just shuts down? Is that any way to run an organization?

Your entire operation is a mess.  I can’t believe I pay every month for the
privilege of being late to home and work on a regular basis.  Thank God I
have a considerate employer and colleagues.  Some of them are also Fail Road
passengers.  If they were not, I would be fired from my job.

Your organization disgusts me.