LIRR on Belmont: Stakes-day service remains a problem

In the week after the Belmont Stakes on June 7, the attention shifted from heralded horse California Chrome’s failure to win the Triple Crown to complaints about delays attendees experienced leaving Belmont Park — with much of the criticism directed at the postrace service of the Long Island Rail Road. Last week, the LIRR said it would look into ways to keep riders informed and curb delays, but railroad officials added that riders must understand the logistics of the Belmont Park station and must have realistic expectations.

There were 102,199 spectators at the park for the Belmont Stakes, which the New York Racing Association said was the third-largest crowd in the event’s 146-year history. LIRR ridership for the Stakes this year, Spokesman Aaron Donovan said in the days that followed, was approximately 36,000 — nearly double the previous record, set in 2008. Donovan said that it should be noted that the LIRR took more cars off area roads this year than ever before, but he also acknowledged that the thousands of people who attempt to leave the park at the same time after the big race “does present logistical hurdles.”

On June 25, LIRR spokesman Salvatore Arena told the Herald that the Belmont Stakes is classified as a special event. On a day-to-day basis, he said, riders who take the train to and from the track are satisfied with the service. The main issue on Stakes day, however, isn’t riders’ varying arrival times — they come to the park throughout the day — but so many leaving at the same time. The Belmont Park station, Arena said, has just one track that is used for both arriving and departing trains.

“We run trains all day,” Arena said, “but you can only move one train at any given time. That limitation is why, every year, our public message — in advance of the Belmont Stakes race — is that customers should stay at Belmont Park for post-race activities and anticipate a two-hour wait to board trains. The turnout this year complicated that even further.”

Arena said that LIRR President Patrick Nowakowski has met with NYRA officials about improving departure service on Stakes day, and most of the focus has been on ways to better communicate with riders about unavoidable circumstances.

“We told people right off the bat that there will be delays, and that it could be two hours,” Arena said. “Planning for improvement is still in its very early stages.”

He added that after the race, the LIRR had personnel, equipped with bullhorns, advising riders about expected delays, and that improving public communication would be a focus in the future.

“Improving train access is a longer-term issue, and one we will study as well,” Arena said.

NYRA CEO Christopher Kay said that although the event was a “smashing success” and generated millions of dollars, there were a host of issues with transportation.

“We recognize the transportation problems that ensued at the end of the day,” Kay said, “and will work quickly with LIRR officials and local law enforcement to ensure better service in the future.”