The Long Island Rail Road saw a 2-percent overall increase in ridership in 2013, with the biggest increase (3 percent) on the Port Washington Branch with an additional 351,294 more rides.
“We are seeing an increase in both commuters going to work and occasional riders,” said LIRR President Helena E. Williams. “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.”
The LIRR took a number of steps last year that helped boost weekend and leisure travel, including the restoration in November of half-hourly weekend service on the Port Washington Branch.
According to Williams, the 2013 ridership is the LIRR’s seventh best year in the post-war period.
