urbanism

The two largest criticisms of the LIRR (and Metro-North) are frequency and price. The commuter rail lines around New York should be running every 15 minutes per branch, all forming together to provide a fast and very frequent service in the city. It should be like the RER in Paris or good S-bahn systems in Germany. The commuter rail should also cost as much as the subway within the city, it's far too expensive. Seriously, look at commuter rail systems in cities less than half the size of New York and the systems are just so much better. This standard of frequent service (maybe less frequent on rural branches) should be the standard for commuter rail in North America. For cities that are starting to get it right, look to San Francisco, Denver, Toronto, and Salt Lake City. San Francisco and Toronto are both electrifying their lines for more frequent service and Denver already has service every 15 minutes to the airport with fully electrified lines.