LIRR

The Long Island Rail Road, commonly known as the LIRR, is a commuter rail system serving Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, New York, as well as Queens and Brooklyn in New York City. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, carrying over 100 million passengers annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. The LIRR operates 11 lines from its western terminals at Grand Central Madison and Penn Station in Manhattan, extending eastward across Long Island. Its extensive network includes 124 stations and over 800 miles of track. The railroad is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), a public benefit corporation.

Founded in 1834, the LIRR is one of the oldest railroads in the United States still in existence under its original name. Its history is deeply intertwined with the development of Long Island, facilitating its growth from rural communities to suburban and exurban areas. The LIRR has undergone numerous expansions and modernizations throughout its existence, including electrification of many of its lines and the recent opening of Grand Central Madison, its second Manhattan terminal. The system plays a vital role in the daily commute for hundreds of thousands of residents, connecting them to employment centers in Manhattan and throughout Long Island. LIRR services are essential for the economic and social fabric of the region.