Post Sandy Commuting Tip: Take the LIRR to Manhattan

We got a tip on a more relaxed way to get to the city during time of post-Sandy subway difficulties.

The MTA is currently running trains to Downtown Brooklyn, and then providing shuttle buses to Manhattan. Commuters Thursday described trips of between two and four hours to get into Manhattan, and only slightly faster trips home. Multiple connections and long waits for the shuttle buses were the main issues.

Another option to try is to take the LIRR from Atlantic Avenue to Jamaica, and then from there, back into the city. See the schedule here.

Although it seems out of the way, a reader let us know that her friend took this route Thursday and said the trip was relaxed, uncrowded and just over an hour.

The reader writes: "Take the LIRR from Atlantic to Jamaica—takes 15 minutes, then you wait for 35 minutes at Jamaica for the train to Penn Station, which takes 20 minutes."

Since the LIRR is free right now. If you still need to get into the city, today might be a good day to try it out. Our reader noted that the LIRR trains had plenty of seats and were on time.

"The only drag is the wait between trains at Jamaica," she writes, "but at least you don't have to wait on a line."

However you go, good luck with your commute!