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MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has drafted a new “Pledge to Customers” that outlines the agency’s plan to improve service for riders.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged the agency to draft the pledge after service was disrupted Sept. 29 following a lightening strike that knocked out a signal and switching control system, and delayed riders for several hours during the evening rush hour, LIRR officials said in a prepared statement.

“This draft document outlines our core values and commitments, including providing accurate and timely information, a safe and reliable ride, and outlining our procedures during an emergency,” said LIRR President Helena Williams.

The proposed pledge now will be reviewed by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Railroad Committee.

Meanwhile, the MTA recently released 2011 “customer satisfaction survey” results, which found that riders’ overall satisfaction rating declined for the authority’s three railroads. Declines associated with MTA Metro-North Railroad reflected responses specific to the New Haven Line, while declines for LIRR reflected service disruptions related to weather-related events, MTA officials said.

However, 84 percent of MTA New York City Transit riders reported being satisfied with the “overall comfort and convenience” of using the subway system, up 6 percent from 2010.