The findings within New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s audit of LIRR on time performance problems is even worse than he reports. The numbers are rigged. Any train arriving within 100 feet of a Penn Station Platform within 5 minutes and 59 seconds is considered “on time.” For many LIRR commuters who have to arrive at work on time without being late six minutes or more, I doubt their boss would be happy. The LIRR definition of “On Time” is just like a teacher giving students a passing grade by rigging the results.
—Larry Penner
Larry Penner is a transportation historian and advocate who previously worked 31 years for the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office.
