[IMAGE]MTA-LIRR-175-full.jpg[/IMAGE]The MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) marked 175 years of service to Long Island and New York on April 24th. The LIRR celebrated New York State's approval of its charter on April 24, 1834.

"We started out as a quicker way for New Yorkers to get to Boston – via a ferry they picked up at Greenport on the East End of Long Island," said LIRR President Helena Williams. "It is doubtful our founders envisioned what we would become 175 years later – the largest commuter railroad in North America, serving 87.4 million customers on more than 700 miles of track."

The LIRR is the oldest railroad in the U.S. operating under its original name. In its long history the LIRR has served billions of customers — taking them to and from jobs, homes, schools, recreational and leisure activities and other events. Through the years, the Long Island Rail Road grew hand-in-hand with Long Island, providing a gateway to economic development, housing and employment opportunities.

East Side Access, connecting the LIRR with Grand Central Terminal, when completed, will be the most significant service improvement for the railroad in 100 years, allowing Long Islanders a one-seat ride to the East Side of Manhattan. East Side Access will allow for 24 peak hour trains to reach Grand Central Terminal, reducing the commute of east-side bound LIRR passengers by up to 40 minutes per day.