Senator Marcellino Announces That The Oyster Bay Line Will Stay Open

Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R-Syosset) announced today that the Long Island Railroad has consented to leave the Oyster Bay line open. "This is a great victory for the commuters who ride the Oyster Bay Line and for all of Long Island. The mass transit system is too important for us to allow its infrastructure to deteriorate. Now is the time to reopen discussions on upgrading the service on the Oyster Bay line and design a rail system capable of sustaining Long Island well into the future." said Senator Marcellino.

Senator Marcellino had formed a Long Island Railroad Advisory Committee and started a grassroots "riders campaign" to save the Oyster Bay line which was scheduled for elimination in 2006. Senator Marcellino held meetings, collected signatures on petitions and worked with the LIRR to convince them of the importance of the LIRR service to the North Shore.

"The Long Island Rail Road is an essential part of our region’s history and is a critical component of peoples’ daily lives," said Senator Marcellino. "The MTA’s planned elimination of the Oyster Bay line would have far-reaching effects touch every Long Islander. I am pleased that the voices of the 9,000 who ride the line were heard by the MTA/LIRR."