While the MTA claims that service to/from Brooklyn has increased by 30%, many fewer trains actually continue into Long Island, as much of that service is diverted to Grand Central. This means that most trips between Brooklyn and Long Island now require changing trains at the Jamaica interchange station in Queens. This has increased travel times, complicated their trips, and, ultimately, resulted in lower ridership between Jamaica and Brooklyn on the LIRR. This has also contributed to confusion and overcrowding on station platforms in Jamaica and many missed connections, since there are no more timed transfers.

Furthermore, the elevators between the platform and mezzanine levels at Jamaica are owned by the Port Authority, not the MTA, and they frequently break down. This disproportionately affects Brooklyn commuters who have to now change platforms and can be stuck on a platform and/or miss their train if the elevators are out.

Therefore, Brooklyn commuters implore the LIRR to:
- divert at least 2 trains on every branch (Babylon, Far Rockaway, Hempstead, Long Beach, Huntington, Ronkonkoma, and West Hempstead) during the AM and PM peak periods from Grand Central to Atlantic Terminal,
- require conductors to make announcements onboard Brooklyn shuttle trains regarding available connections, departure times and tracks, and
- acquire control of the elevators at Jamaica from PANYNJ to establish accountability for maintenance, which we believe may improve their reliability