The annual rider survey of Long Island Railroad service by the LIRR Commuters Council found that of the 45 indicators on which the LIRR was graded, 33 grades stayed the same as 1997 and 12 changed, with 7 attributes improving and 5 declining. Overall, the Railroad's grade held steady at C+.

Ratings improved in the following categories:


• AM train crew

• AM on-train announcements

• Home station cleanliness

• Home station rest room cleanliness

• Escalator maintenance

• Home station building access hours

• Home station maintenance

Ratings declined in the following categories:


• AM on-time performance

• PM on-time performance

• Seat condition

• AM rush service

• Midday service

1998 has been a bad year for the LIRR in general - commuters and the media have regularly berated the railroad for poor service, broken air conditioning, overcrowded trains, and other operational problems. The summer's troubles even provoked a legislative hearing. "We are not surprised that the railroad continues to receive low grades in the most service categories," noted Council Chairman Larry Silverman. "And after its failing summer session, we hope that the railroad will continue to increase its regular maintenance and accelerate the fleet overhaul and replacement."

Every year, LIRR riders say that they would most like to see improvements in frequency of service, on-time performance, and seating availability.

Metro-North Railroad, which also polled its customers recently, received lower marks this year than it did last year, with its riders also requesting improvements in frequency of service and on-time performance.