How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

Would you say it's safer than the subway (from experience, not preconceived notions)?

I have to work really late this week and I take the A train which goes through some not so fantastic parts of Brooklyn and furthermore, it's LOCAL after 10:30, so it would take hours to get home. Fh has been picking meup and taking the train home with me, but I can't have him working til 11 and later. Maybe I can take the train back to FH's (Hempstead Line) and have him get me at the station. Do you think that's safer than taking the subway?

Another option is my friend is working on the show and she lives out near Farmingdale or something. I could take the train with her and have FH pick me up somewhere on that line. Do you know what line goes to Farmingdale and what the closest station would be to Franklin Sq?

Thanks so much.

I can't even drive to work because it's near the theatre district, parking is a biznatch

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

LIRR is definitely more user-friendly than the subway at night - ESPECIALLY a local.

I would go with a friend if possible, and sit in the car in the front or back of the train where the conductors are.

Farmingdale is on the Ronkonkoma branch.
Stewart Manor, Floral Park are on the Hempstead Branch.


It looks like the Port Jeff branch (NHP, Merillon Ave, etc) and the Ronkonkoma branch split at Hicksville, so its very possible that you can share a train w/ your friend that's going to Farmingdale.

Call 516-822-LIRR, explain what you're trying to do. They've always been helpful when I've called.

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

I live in Queens and usually take the subway, but if I'm going into the city alone and will be coming back late I always take the LIRR (I would not take the subway at 3AM by myself). I've been drunk and alone on the LIRR many a times and have always felt safe.

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

The conductors stay at the front and the back?

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

They also have spots in the middle that they stay. I would say the LIRR is safe - and MUCH safer than a subway.

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

Jennifer,
If your FH lives near St. Catherine's - the closest station is Stewart Manor. I used to commute on that train, sometimes late at night, and never had a problem.
New Hyde Park station is the next closest - only a few blocks up the road from Stewart Manor, but not many trains stop there after hours.
You could also try Nassau Blvd. if he lives on the Eastern side of Franklin Square or Merillon Avenue (Nassau Blvd. close to Jericho Tpke.)
If I was in a pinch and it was late and I missed either of those trains, I used to also take a train into the Lynbrook station or Mineola. They are a little bit further, but still within a few miles of FS.

Michelle

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

The LIRR is soooooooooooo much safer than the subway! I have taken it late at night by myself (Port Wash Line) and I just sit in a car with other ppl or a car with a ticket man/lady.
Do you have to transfer to take the Hempstead line? If so, I would reccommend going with your friend, otherwise take it direct to FH.

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

the LIRR is very safe...no worries!

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

LIRR is safe as well as most parts of the subway...

I had to take the LIRR late night by myslef for 3 years off and on (depending on school and work sch)...
And I never once felt threatened or scared... I even had to sit on a jamaica platform for 30 min waiting for my trains... ive taken it on a few diff. lines.. just get something to do to keep ur mind from going off on tangents and you'll be ok...

ps i work in one of those bad parts of brooklyn, Im never really scared or feel threatened on the subways either...

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

LIRR is def safe late at night. On the weekends, there may be some drunks (had the joy of being trapped next to one twice!) but they usually leave you alone. If they are belligerent, the conductor will talk to them.

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

I know SM is the closest too FH, but if I take the train with my friend, I would take HER line.

So you don't really know where the conductor is?

Well I guess if I'm taking it alone I'm egtting on at penn station anyway, so I'll see where other people are so I'm not alone.

My subway line isn't terrible, but I just don't want to ride it late at night alone. I've had some bad experiences and I wouldn't want to repeat them by myself on a deserted train

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

no, but if you go up to the first car where the engineer is, it's very safe....I don't really take the subway often, so I can't say which is safer, but I've always felt fairly comfortable on the LIRR, even by myself.

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

I used to take the train on the Hempstead or New Hyde Park line after 10:00 pm when I had night classes in the city. I travelled alone and got off at Nassau Blvd. (Hempstead line) or Merrilon Ave. (NHP line) where my car was parked. It was pretty deserted, but I never had a problem. If FH will be waiting for you there, I think you would be OK. What I think I would do, is figure out if there is a train you can take where you wouldn't have to change trains at Jamaica. That way, the only waiting you would have to do would be at Penn Station.

Re: How is the LIRR late at night?/ LIRR experts

My friend and I figured out I can take her line with her (Ronkonkoma) and get off at Mineola. She said sometimes it stops at NHP, sometimes not, (NHP is very close to FH), but it alwyas stops at Mineola, and that's not far from him.

Actually, it's funny, Jamaica is probably the closest LIRR station to my house, but I don't want to be there at night, even if someone is waiting for me.