After years of chugging along adding a passenger here, a passenger there, Metro-North has officially edged out the LIRR in ridership for the first time in nearly three decades — and taken over as the nation’s largest commuter railroad, statistics show.
The turning point is huge for two rivals that wage fierce behind-the-scenes wars for money, resources and respect.
“There are less breakdowns, less disruptions, and service is much more on time on Metro-North,” said William Kelly, 50, who rode the LIRR for 16 years before moving to Rye and switching.
Julia Lindau, 23, of Chappaqua, has taken Metro-North her entire life.
“I’ve never had a train delayed,” she said. “It’s always on time.”
Metro-North last month carried 6,852,667 million people, a 3 percent increase from September 2009, while the LIRR carried 6,834,000 riders, a 3 percent decrease.
And sources predict that small gap will increase once October’s numbers are finalized.
The LIRR’s year-to-date ridership is ahead by about 700,000 riders — but dispatchers at Metro-North’s control center were ecstatic yesterday.
“Finally!” said James Fahey, director of the Association of Commuter Railroad Employees, which represents the dispatchers.
“The people who work here care. They care about the customers, about holding the door for a late rider — and they care about this.”