Tracks Raw Bar & Grill Opens at Grand Central Madison

Tracks' Opening Follows Retail Renaissance at Grand Central Terminal

LIRR and Metro-North Customers Enjoying Record High Performance

View Video and Photos of News Conference

View B-Roll of Tracks Raw Bar & Grill Opening Day Business

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the popular Tracks Raw Bar & Grill has opened its doors at Grand Central Madison and is ready to service the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who pass through the LIRR's east side terminal. Combined with the addition of more retailers in Grand Central Terminal and more seating in the mezzanine this summer, the move is expected to generate energy and foot traffic and create an atmosphere that will attract further retailers as the LIRR and Metro-North report record levels of on-time performance and the highest ridership in years.

Tracks opening follows a spectacular Summer at the Grand Central complex that saw smooth LIRR and Metro-North commutes. Both railroads operated with record high on-time performance, consistently breaking post pandemic ridership records. On-time performance (OTP) for both railroads remains historically high with Metro-North at more than 98% and the LIRR at an overall 97%. In May, the LIRR achieved its highest on-time performance for any May in recorded history (excluding 2020) with an OTP of 96.7%, and Metro-North achieved an impressive 99.1% on-time performance. Over the summer, both railroads reached new post-pandemic one-day high ridership levels, with 285,050 riders on the LIRR on Tuesday, May 20, and 255,638 customers on Metro-North on the same day.

"LIRR riders are loving Grand Central Madison, with 95% approval in customer satisfaction surveys, and now it's getting even better," said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. "Tracks is the first step towards filling the terminal with a full range of retail and food options to go along with the most reliable service in the railroad's long history."

"This incredible terminal has already created a wonderful customer experience by opening the east side of Manhattan to LIRR commuters and now they'll have a chance to relax with friends before heading home," said LIRR President Rob Free. "Tracks served LIRR customers at Penn Station for many years and they'll be back. Now Grand Central Madison will have its own space for customers to enjoy."

"Grand Central Madison is located in the heart of Manhattan, has access to two of the busiest commuter railroads in the country and connects people to four subway lines and the Times Square shuttle," said MTA Chief Real Estate Transactions and Operations Officer David Florio. "Ridership at Grand Central Madison continues to rise and with the tens of thousands of people passing through every day, Tracks will be the first step towards filling the terminal with compelling spots to dine and shop."

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Tracks Raw Bar and Grill to the Grand Central neighborhood," said Fred Cerullo, President and CEO of Grand Central Partnership. "Our Midtown East community continues to experience a dramatic increase in pedestrian traffic and a lot of that is being fueled by the increase in the number of Long Islanders who are traveling by the Long Island Railroad in and out of Grand Central Madison. The opening of Tracks adds to our area's great food and beverage options - in and around the Terminal- and provides a huge step in creating the warm and inviting space where commuters can shop and dine while enjoying all that Grand Central Terminal and Grand Central Madison has to offer."

Tracks was a long-time establishment inside Penn Station with a railroad theme with murals and vintage photographs that detailed the history of the LIRR. The restaurant relocated to 31st Street in 2019 when the MTA rebuilt the LIRR's Concourse at Penn Station. It is preparing to reopen inside Penn Station while maintaining the 31st Street location.

Tracks will be the first of many new retail/dining options that will be available at Grand Central Madison. This follows an explosion of new opportunities to eat and shop throughout the MTA network at both Grand Central Terminal, where nearly 90% of retail spaces are filled, and on the LIRR Concourse at Penn Station.