The New Tanger
Did someone say 'Shopping!'?
Serious shoppers should - Get on your mark ... Get set ... and GO! ... to the new "Tanger at the Arches" Center in Deer Park, where you can get a head start on your holiday shopping.
Your entire family will discover everything from the latest brand name fashions and accessories to home decor, books, music CDs, toys, outdoor gear, and much, much more.
And for members of your party not in need of significant "retail therapy," there is a Regal Cinema and food court on site. The smartest shoppers will plan on using our new Tanger Deer Park package to get there. You can tailor your version of this exciting package with a start point that includes stations on our Ronkonkoma Branch, as well as from Penn, Queens and Brooklyn. It includes round-trip "trainsportation," a shuttle between our Deer Park Station and the new Tanger outlet, and a voucher to exchange at the Shoppers Service Center for a coupon book worth hundreds of dollars in additional savings!
It's a deal smart shoppers shouldn't pass up ... and you can get the full details on our website.

Disability Pension Reform
I am writing to assure you that under my leadership the LIRR is committed to doing everything it can to protect public funds. Specifically, I am determined to help eliminate any potential waste, fraud and abuse associated with the manner in which the federal pension system provides disability benefits to the employees of the nation's railroads.
I also want to make clear that the LIRR does not grant these pensions, and that the federal board that does, makes its decisions without seeking meaningful input from the LIRR.
In addition, in August I referred the disability pension issue to the Inspectors General for the Railroad Retirement Board and the MTA. We are fully cooperating with both of their offices, as well as with New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
Furthermore, it is clear to me that Congressional action is needed to fix a broken disability system, and I have asked Congress to take several steps designed to weed out frivolous disability claims, including a requirement that independent medical reviews of the claims be conducted, and that railroads be involved in the process of granting these benefits.
Internally, we are addressing this problem by adopting several reforms, including the formation of a new compliance unit to act as a watchdog; encouraging employees and customers to report possible wrongdoing (1-800-MTA-IG4U); and additional ethics training for employees.
Without question, disability pensions should be available only for those who truly deserve them. It is clear that the existing federal process is deeply flawed and that it can no longer be business as usual.

Sincerely,
Helena E. Williams - President

New Schedule - November 10
A new schedule reflecting the completion, continuation and beginning of various work projects will take effect on Monday, November 10. Copies of the new schedules will be available in timetable racks at western terminals and stations around the system during the week of November 3. A preview will also be available on our website. The new schedule will reflect the following:

• Completion of work projects on the Port Jefferson, Oyster Bay and Port Washington branches
• Start-up or continuation of work on the Ronkonkoma, Babylon, Port Jefferson and Port Washington branches
  

Please review copies of the new schedules for the details of the changes required by these work projects.

Port Washington Branch Service Suspension
Service on the Port Washington Branch between Shea Stadium and Penn Station will be suspended over the weekend of November 8 and 9. The details of this 48-hour suspension of service are available in the "News" and the "Service Advisory" sections of our homepage.
We apologize in advance for the inconveniences created by this important and necessary work.

Holiday Shows
New York's two big Holiday Shows, Wintuk - Cirque du Soleil and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, will be starting in early November. These very special productions make for great family entertainment ... and are worthy of becoming a holiday tradition for you and yours.
Visit our website and you'll find all the details you'll need to take your group to both the Wintuk, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular shows ... including discounted show tickets and free round-trip train tickets.
Some restrictions apply, so see our website ... or call us at 718-217-LIRR, 516-822-LIRR or 631-231-LIRR.

The Long Island Rail Road Commuter's Council
The Long Island Rail Road Commuter's Council (LIRRCC), an independent group of volunteers appointed by the Governor to represent the official voice of LIRR riders, currently has openings for Council members from Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as from Brooklyn.
If you're interested, you can learn more by contacting the LIRRCC at 212-878-7087 or by email at mail@lirrcc.org.

He sits on the aisle
Plops his case inside ...
Pulls out his papers -
Plans to work and ride.
But what about her?
She just wants to sit ...
Nope, he scowls at his papers
Won't look up one bit.
Pretends he can't see her
Like he doesn't have sight -
It's an old act buddy
And you know it's not right.
Don't spread out your stuff
Til your seat isn't needed -
In other words friend,
Until everyone's seated.

Monthly OTP
September proved to be another very good month for On Time Performance, registering a 95.21% ... just missing another "best-ever" mark ... and well above our goal for 2008.

BRANCH	AM Peak	PM Peak	Off- Peak	Total September 2008	Total September 2007
Babylon	96.1	90.8	95.7	95.0	94.8
Far Rockaway	97.4	93.1	98.2	97.5	97.8
Hicksville/Huntington	95.6	90.5	95.2	94.7	95.6
Hempstead	97.4	95.2	98.0	97.6	97.1
Long Beach	99.2	93.9	97.0	96.9	95.4
Montauk	92.9	93.4	94.4	94.1	93.3
Oyster Bay	94.6	92.1	92.6	92.8	96.0
Port Jefferson	95.2	92.5	93.8	93.9	94.0
Port Washington	98.2	90.7	94.5	94.4	93.6
Greenport/Ronkonkoma	96.8	91.8	92.9	93.4	93.0
West Hempstead	98.1	95.2	98.2	97.7	97.1
TOTAL	96.6	92.1	95.5	95.2	95.0

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