LIRR launches accessibility program

MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) yesterday announced the launch of a program to assist riders with mobility issues.

Through the new LIRR Care program, the railroad will offer help to passengers who need assistance boarding or exiting trains. The service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, LIRR officials said in a press release.

LIRR Care is an expansion of the railroad's earlier Call Ahead program, which required customers to call in for help three hours ahead of their rides. Under the new program, riders are asked to call for assistance at least two hours in advance of their trips.

In addition, LIRR is stationing customer service ambassadors at its main terminals, where riders may request assistance in person 15 minutes prior to departure.

"My focus each and every day is to find ways to improve our customer service," said LIRR President Phillip Eng.

The program's launch comes a month after a group of riders with disabilities filed a federal lawsuit against LIRR, Newsday reported. The group accused the railroad of discrimination for failing to make its system as accessible as possible, according to the newspaper.

LIRR isn't the only Metropolitan Transportation Authority agency that's recently taken heat for its limited accessibility. Earlier this month, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer released a report stating that less than a quarter of MTA New York City Transit's subway stations are accessible to riders with disabilities.