NO TRAIN SERVICE
On The Main Line
Weekend of August 23-24
Customers planning to use the LIRR's Main Line on the weekend of August 23-24 are strongly advised to consider using one of the Railroad's South Shore branches or the Port Washington Branch, as buses will replace trains between Jamaica and Mineola during this 48-hour period. This suspension of service is necessary to allow LIRR workers to complete a major signal upgrade as the Queens Interlocking Switch & Signal Improvement Project nears completion (on September 1).
"This is the final phase of an important project that would not have been possible without the cooperation of our customers all summer long," said the Railroad's president, Helena Williams. "We have tried very hard to minimize the impact, but over this weekend it is particularly important for our customers to be aware of what's happening. We want everyone who plans to ride the Railroad that weekend to be ready to adjust their travel plans accordingly."
In addition to the busing program that will be instituted during this suspension, some trains will be rerouted, connection times will be changed, and schedules for most branches will be altered.
Customers who must travel along the Main Line are urged to pick up the special weekend timetables for their branch, and to plan for 30-45 minutes of additional travel time. To avoid lengthy delays, our weekend customers should consider making their way to the Babylon, Far Rockaway, Long Beach, Montauk, Port Washington or West Hempstead branches.

Here are some of the essential facts weekend LIRR customers should know:

• Hempstead Branch will be closed, with buses replacing all trains
• Ronkonkoma Branch East of Ronkonkoma will be closed, with buses replacing all trains
• Between 12 AM and 7 AM, Ronkonkoma Branch trains will operate to Mineola, where buses will provide service to Jamaica
• From 7 AM until Midnight, Ronkonkoma Branch trains will be replaced by diesel equipment that will operate to Farmingdale, and then south on the Central Branch to Babylon, where they will turn west to Jamaica
• Port Jefferson/Huntington Branch trains will operate to Mineola where buses will complete the trip to Jamaica (and reverse)
• Oyster Bay Branch will operate to Mineola where buses will complete the trip to Jamaica (and reverse)

Visit Service Suspended Between Mineola and Jamaica for more details, or call the LIRR's 24-hour Travel Information Center (631-231-LIRR; 516-822-LIRR; or 718-217-LIRR) for additional assistance.

Be TrainSmart - Wait Behind the Gate
The current phase of our Be TrainSmart Campaign implores the public to exercise extreme caution when crossing the LIRR's tracks. Railroad crossings are dangerous areas and we want both motorists and pedestrians to be especially attentive and cautious when around them.

Our suggestions include:

• Always expect a train at every crossing
• Only cross tracks at dedicated locations
• Don't cross tracks unless there is room on the other side for your vehicle
• And NEVER drive around lowered gates

Help us keep you safe - Be TrainSmart. Tune In To Safety!

Labor Day Getaway Service
Labor Day Weekend will feature traditional early afternoon getaway trains on Friday, August 29. The extra service will include three trains each for the Babylon and Port Jefferson branches and one train each for the Port Washington and Far Rockaway branches. Check your current schedules for details ... or view your schedule on the our website.

2008 U.S. Tennis Open
The 2008 U.S. Open Championship will start on Monday, August 25 and continue through Sunday, September 7. These matches are expected to attract well over 700,000 fans, maintaining the Open's distinction as the highest attended annual sporting event in the world. The LIRR is the most convenient and comfortable way to go see these magnificent athletes - with no traffic ... no parking fees ... and no hassles. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance. For more U.S. Tennis Open fare and schedule information, see our website or call 718-217-LIRR.

Normal Schedules Return September 2
The new schedule that will go into effect on Tuesday, September 2 marks the return of normal service ... with some beneficial schedule adjustments, including an AM Reverse Peak train to Hempstead from Penn Station, added AM and PM Peak service to St. Albans, and added PM Peak service to Forest Hills and Kew Gardens.
Construction projects will impact midday and weekend customers on the Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, Oyster Bay and Port Washington branches while this timetable is in effect. Customers on all branches should review the new timetables dated September 2 through November 9 for complete details.
We send a "Thank You" to all of our customers for their patience with the summer schedule, which permitted important signal and switch upgrades to be completed. For additional information you can contact us at our 24-hour Travel Information Center, or visit the LIRR's website.

The Bzzzzt
A bzzzt bzzzzt bzzzzt
Beats a person singing
It's also better than a cellphone's ringing
Better'n Mozart or LL Cool J
It's the friendly prelude to saying your say.
Wanna be cool, my cellphone cousin?
Set your phone so it only does buzzin.

Monthly OTP
The final tally for July was a solid 94.24% ... however, the month's AM Peak performance was the best we have ever recorded in July (98.33%). It also tied the 2nd best OTP for all Peak periods (AM and PM) since 1979 ... surpassed only by the 98.35% April AM Peak set earlier this year. After seven months, this year's overall OTP is 95.38%.

BRANCH	AM Peak	PM Peak	Off- Peak	Total July 2008	Total July 2007
Babylon	99.0	88.8	94.2	94.2	91.4
Far Rockaway	99.6	94.4	98.7	98.4	96.5
Hicksville/Huntington	97.9	93.8	95.3	95.5	91.5
Hempstead	99.4	94.3	98.1	97.8	95.1
Long Beach	99.6	93.4	94.8	95.3	94.5
Montauk	95.6	88.3	89.5	90.2	89.4
Oyster Bay	98.7	91.7	94.4	94.7	92.1
Port Jefferson	94.3	92.2	86.9	88.8	89.6
Port Washington	98.7	84.8	94.0	93.3	92.3
Greenport/Ronkonkoma	97.9	93.2	90.1	91.9	89.8
West Hempstead	98.2	97.0	96.4	96.7	95.4
TOTAL	98.3	91.0	94.0	94.2	92.3

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