Abrahams Informs Residents About
Changes to LIRR During Convention

Mineola, NY - Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead) would like to update residents on some of the MTA Long Island Rail Road's travel revisions for the upcoming Republican National Convention. The convention is being held at Madison Square Garden from Monday, August 30 through Thursday, September 2, 2004.

"Many of our residents rely on the LIRR to get to and from work every day so it is important that everyone is aware of travel changes," said Legislator Abrahams. "Make sure to allow yourself more time to get to and from work and follow the suggested travel tips listed below."

1. Only two of the six Penn Station entrances and exits will be in use for riders of the MTA Long Island Rail Road, Amtrak, and NJ Transit. The two open entrances are the Amtrak entrance at 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue (under Madison Square Garden marquee), and the MTA Long Island Rail Road 34th Street Entrance, just west of Seventh Avenue. As a result of the closures there will be excess volume in these areas. Subways in Penn Station will function normally.
2. If customers need any additional information about this, there will be MTA Police and additional LIRR staff available in Penn Station to help. In addition, the LIRR is planning an information campaign delineating alternate routes to use, and it will be providing a special brochure of maps, signage, announcements and website postings as of the last week of July.
3. Many streets will be closed to vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic during the convention, some for all four days, others only when the convention is in session.
4. West 32nd St. between Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue will be closed to vehicles, as it will become a pedestrian mall to and from the Seventh Avenue entrance to Penn Station. The main taxi stand, which is usually located on Seventh Avenue in front of Penn Station, will be moved to 32nd Street, between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas. Regular MTA New York City Transit bus routes will be altered as well.
5. It might be more convenient for customers to transfer to the subway at other LIRR locations such as Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, Hunterspoint Avenue, Long Island City or Jamaica instead of Penn Station.
   1. Flatbush Avenue Terminal provides easy access to lower Manhattan with convenient connections to the "2", "3", "4", "5", "B", "D", "M", "N", "Q", or "R" trains.
   2. Hunterspoint Avenue and Long Island City Stations provide easy access to East Manhattan. The Number "7" train to and from Times Square, to Grand Central Station, and to the East Side, can be accessed from either station. The Hunterspoint Avenue Station is adjacent to NYC Transit's Hunters Point Avenue Station on the "7" line. The Long Island City Station is near the Vernon/Jackson subway station on the "7" line.
   3. Jamaica hub provides connections to the "E" train serving midtown and downtown Manhattan, and the "J" and "Z" trains serving Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. The "F" train is on Sutphin Boulevard and Hillside Avenue, about a five-block walk north of Jamaica Station.
6. The LIRR advises customers to follow these tips while traveling at this time.
   • Please leave any unnecessary bags, backpacks and other items at home.
   • Remember to take all belongings with you when leaving the train to avoid delays caused by unattended packages.
   • Buy your LIRR train tickets and MetroCards in advance at outlying stations
   • Purchase September monthly tickets before August 30th. September monthly tickets go on sale August 20th. They may also be purchased on-line through the WebTicket service at www.mta.info. Monthly tickets are sold at a two percent discount when purchased through Web Ticket.
   • Listen for announcements regarding potential service changes.
   • Monitor radio and television traffic reports for service updates.
   • Additional LIRR personnel will be assigned at key locations to assist customers.