LIRR Riders Face Morning Commute Disruptions After Penn Station Meltdown

LONG ISLAND, NY — Ahead of a potential strike, Long Island commuters are already facing disruptions to their morning routine after an electrical fire in Penn Station on Thursday.

Officials said Thursday morning's fire was an electrical fire on the tracks in the East River Tunnel, with lines 3 and 4 of the tunnel suspended.

As of Friday morning, the MTA TrainTime app states there is "extremely limited Penn Station service" from a Long Island Railroad train station stop.

Mike Googs, a Hicksville resident, takes the train to work and said he was frustrated with the lack of communication and details from the MTA.

At 9 a.m. on Friday, he said: "It's hour #21 of the Penn Station meltdown, and this is the most info you can put out?"

LIRR shared on X that Amtrak crews are continuing repair work. They also said there is no eastbound service from Penn Station and to use Grand Central or Atlantic Terminal instead, and as of three hours ago, there has been no update on the account.

An MTA official told Patch that service is limited to and from Penn Station, and the TrainTime app and website will continue to have real-time service information.

The MTA and five unions are still negotiating contracts without a deal. The deadline for an agreement is 11:59 p.m. on May 15.