"I was at the last LIRR Public Forum, and I told Mr. Dermody directly that if the LIRR is that clueless to the ridership potential east of Ronkomkoma, they should be forced by New York State to offer that line segment to a new operator. "
HELL YEAH! Give it to RMLI or someone willin to work with RMLI.
"So why did they spend millions to build the platforms if they didn't plan on increasing service? Yeah I know, the new equipment needed high level platforms."
Cuz they have no common sense when it comes to doing things the less expensive way. They should've just purchased Bombardier bi-levels for the main east of KO and had a section of the KO platform built as low. It'd have been much cheaper than rebuilding all the stations with highs(didn't they abandonned 2 stations also cuz they couldn't afford it?)
Hell, at this point, they could just buy 2 Colorado Railcar consists for pretty cheap(or maybe it's not).....Just have 2 more trains, they'd be those new bi-levels they came up with, 2 car sets. No engine to pull em, just the 2 bi-levels(they're DMUs). Some stats for this:
3.9 mil each I think...that's about 15.5 mil for the 4 cars
188 pax each.....376 per train
Should be a fairly quick solution.
"So how about a spinoff to a shortline? I always felt that a company affiliated with the RMLI would be the ideal operator of the line east of KO. They already have a presence along the line, they have both the political and corporate connections needed and it would be a locally owned and operated company. New equipment is not needed, a couple of used Alco's would fit. The company could provide a range of services, bi-hourly service for commuters, excursions for tourists, there's even room to fit in a weekend dinner train."
Hell, I bet if they could get 35 and 39 runnin and down to Riverhead, they could provide much better service with just those 2 engines, and maybe a new alco or 2, lol.
"Sell the line. Let an interested group operate it, provide a neccessary service and make a profit doing it."
I'm tellin ya, if I had the money, in 5 yrs, I'd buy it from them and run my own damn service on it. How much ya think LIRR wants for it? 39mil?
" RDC's or some sort of equipment that meets union and managment needs should be sought after. "
Colorado Railcar, right there. 2 DMU bi-levels per train, 2 trains. Access to both high and low plats in case some of the old stations were to be re-opened for cheap.
I'm suprised LIRR doesn't just give it to someone. Maybe we should just nag them constantly til they crack and jus give it to us or sell it to us for cheap.