I looked into the MTA fare hikes as they will affect the LIRR (there’s a breakdown of from the MTA here)- using these numbers I’ll be able to calculate what the change in annual spending for an average customer will be.

I have also touched base with a number of potential sources for the story, most of which ride the LIRR at least every weekday.

One contact, Jung Min Park, complained specifically about the hike.

“They raised the prices, which were ridiculous in the first place,” he said on Tuesday.

“It is unreliable in my daily commute as I have to plan my schedule going to class thinking ahead of which train to take if this one doesn’t come.”

Park emphasized that everyone has their own LIRR stories and is willing to share some of his if needed for this project.

He also mentioned some interesting historical stories with the LIRR, including the case of Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad. It might be interesting to look into some other weird stories just for background.