(The following story by Joie Tyrrell appeared on the Newsday website on July 20.)
NEW YORK — Long Island Rail Road will operate regular service during the Republican National Convention next month, but commuters are advised to consider alternative routes to Manhattan and expect security-related obstacles.
“What we have to do is be aware of the steps being taken and take as many steps as we can to help make it as painless as possible to our customers,” LIRR President James Dermody said yesterday.
Two of the six entrances to Penn Station will be open during the convention Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 and LIRR passengers can expect stepped-up security patrols aboard trains. A number of streets surrounding the station will be closed to vehicles and sometimes to pedestrians. Rail officials said commuters can travel to LIRR stations at Jamaica, Hunterspoint Avenue in Long Island City or Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn to connect with subway service.
During the convention at Madison Square Garden, which is above Penn Station, only the Amtrak entrances and exits at 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue and the LIRR ones at 34th Street just west of Seventh Avenue will be open. Normal subway access will be available.
“I think it is going to be a huge inconvenience,” said Beverly Dolinsky, executive director of the LIRR Commuters Council. “If they have to go to Hunterspoint or to Atlantic Terminal [Brooklyn], it is not a one-seat ride. A lot of people now have a one-seat ride to Penn. And then what is it going to be like to get on the subways?”
Patchogue commuter Gerry Bringmann, vice chairman of the commuter council, said he’ll avoid Penn Station. “Anyone in their right mind would,” he said. “It is going to be a horror show.”
Railroad officials said additional staff will be at Penn and the railroad is launching a customer information campaign next week on how to navigate the system during the convention.
Outside Penn Station, West 32nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues will be closed to vehicles, becoming a pedestrian mall allowing access to and from the Seventh Avenue entrance. The LIRR is advising customers to leave any unnecessary bags or backpacks at home, to buy tickets in advance at outlying stations and to listen for announcements regarding potential service changes. Monthly customers should buy September monthly tickets prior to Aug. 30. They go on sale Aug. 20.