Update: Many Didn't Ride LIRR, But Those Who Did Dealt With Service Disruptions

Update: Normal morning peak service should be expected on Thursday, according to an alert from the Long Island Rail Road.

As many as 75% of commuters stayed home today, said Long Island Rail Road spokesman Salvatore Arena. 

"Our customer count indicates that as much as 75 percent of our normal commuters stayed home," Arena said. "That is very helpful and very much appreciated."

So how did this storm differ from the one at the end of 2010 for the railroad?

"I think the railroad was well prepared for the storm," Arena said. "We had a lot of notice. We were anticipating, based on the earlier forecast, much more snow."

There were approximately 800 to 1,000 LIRR employees working today, including a crew of 600 who were brought on to help with the snow.

The Long Island Rail Road's website says that the trains are "operating on a significantly reduced weekday [morning] Rush schedule, which includes the cancellation of 23 westbound [morning] rush trains."

The next trains to Penn Station are the 8:38 a.m. and the 9:23 a.m. The 7:36 a.m. and the 9:31 a.m. have been cancelled because of the snow, the website says. The next two trains after the 9:31 a.m. -- the 10:39 a.m. and 11:39 a.m. -- are scheduled to run.

As of 12:30 p.m., the trains scheduled to leave Penn Station between 4:31 p.m. and 6:08 p.m. to go to New Hyde Park will be running on schedule. And as of 3:45 p.m., the early rush hour trains are on time, according to the Long Island Rail Road's website.

Check out New Hyde Park Patch for updates about the commute home.

The is warning passengers that it may suspend service Wednesday morning if the winter storm expected to blitz the region hits as .

MTA officials said the LIRR hopes to keep service rolling on all 11 of its branches, but may need to temporarily suspend trains if 10 or more inches of snow accumulate to keep trains from being stranded. 

The LIRR said it would continually evaluate the impact of the storm on and urged customers to consult the MTA’s website for the latest updates on branches that may be affect by cancellations. 

Patch will keep readers updated on the commute out of the New Hyde Park LIRR station.

The LIRR already suspended service east of Speonk following Tuesday evening's rush hour. There will be no overnight or morning train service between Montauk and Speonk. Buses will be provided for customers heading east of Speonk, starting with the 8:53 p.m. train from Jamaica, scheduled to arrive in Montauk at 11:57 p.m.

The LIRR has also decided to suspend train service between Greenport and Ronkonkoma starting Wednesday morning.

MTA officials are urging customers who are not required to travel on Wednesday morning not to. Those who must utilize the LIRR Wednesday are urged to “take extra care during the storm,” including watching their steps on platforms and stairways due to potentially slippery conditions.

For the latest service updates customers can check the MTA’s website or call the LIRR’s Travel Information Center at (718)-217-5477.