LETTER IN THE NEW YORK
TIMES 8/11/99
To "Woes of
the Long Island Rail Road" should be added the most incredible
routine scenarios: antiquated ticketing that includes scattered
paper on trains from holes punched in tickets, no garbage on any
trains, and overcrowding so severe that many passengers are
forced to stand for an hour or more. What is even more
incredible is that passengers accept these conditions and the
resulting stress on their health on a daily basis.
Replacing hole
punchers with pens, placing garbage pails on trains, and
distributing cars to accommodate the number of passengers would
help. More expensive solutions, like luxury cars for those
willing to pay additional fare, computerized ticketing and more
station parking, could attract passengers and reduce auto
traffic.
Carol Goldberg
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