NYC's Grand Central Madison Adds Seating as Ridership Soars
Grand Central Madison installs more seating as weekday ridership reaches 72,000
Grand Central Madison Adds Seating for Riders
Long Island Rail Road riders using Grand Central Madison will find more places to sit as the station adds seating areas to handle growing crowds. The MTA announced Tuesday it's installing additional seating throughout the transit hub, which now serves an average of 72,000 weekday riders. That's a 40% jump since the station opened in February 2023, officials said.
Ridership Growth Drives Expansion
Grand Central Madison opened in February 2023 as the first expansion of the Long Island Rail Road into Manhattan's East Side in over a century. The station's ridership has climbed steadily since then, reaching 72,000 average weekday passengers. "Grand Central Madison has been a game-changer for LIRR customers, and we're thrilled to see ridership continue to grow," Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO, said. The seating additions respond directly to customer feedback about the need for more waiting areas during busy periods.
New Seating Locations Identified
The MTA has installed new seating on the mezzanine level and near Track 117, with additional seating planned near Track 102. Rob Free, Senior Vice President of Grand Central Madison, said the agency is "constantly looking for ways to improve the customer experience." The exact number of new seats wasn't disclosed in the announcement. Officials said the additions are part of ongoing efforts to make the station more comfortable as ridership grows.
Installation Underway at Station
Some of the new seating areas are already in place, with others still being installed, according to the MTA. Officials didn't provide a specific completion date for all seating installations. The agency said it's committed to continuing improvements as ridership increases. The seating expansion is a direct response to rider feedback about station amenities.
Riders Can Track Service Updates
The additional seating should make waiting more comfortable for the thousands of commuters who pass through Grand Central Madison daily, particularly during peak travel times. Officials said they'll continue monitoring ridership patterns and customer feedback to identify other potential improvements. Riders can check Moovit for real-time LIRR service information and station updates as the seating installation continues.
