Day 1 of weekday repairs at Penn Station appears to have not been so bad.

Thousands of straphangers got their first taste of how things will be different for the next couple of months as major track work got underway.

There are significant service changes for Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit riders.

The first phase of commuter rail construction at Penn runs through July 25.

The second phase begins August 4 and goes to August 28.

Schedule changes will be in effect until September 1. 

The repairs follow a string of cancellations, delays, and train derailments over the last several months.

New MTA Chairman Joe Lhota says the day went about as well as could be hoped for, and commuters NY1 spoke with seemed to agree.

"It's been a great day for the Long Island Rail Road," Lhota said. "We thought and we planned for the worst. We hoped for the best. And we got the best."

"At least they're fixing it now rather than later. It's been slow for years," said one commuter.

"It should be this good every day. Here's my train now," said another.

"We came in from the Westbury station. Excellent. I don't know what it's like going home now, but coming in was very good," said a third.

There were subway issues at Penn Station Monday, however.

The MTA says a manhole fire at Penn Station caused service changes and significant delays on the 1, 2 and 3 lines.

Many commuters chose to avoid Penn Station and headed over to Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn instead.

The MTA is offering a 25 percent discount to those traveling to and from Atlantic Terminal to help ease congestion at Penn Station.

Commuters NY1 spoke with had mixed feelings about the incentive.

"We're getting the discount one way. Counts for a lot because the subways aren't cheap," said one commuter. "And getting the discount on the LIRR monthly pass helps a lot too. I calculated it should be over $200 that I should save in the next seven weeks on commuting costs."

"I got a 25 percent discount, but it's not worth it. No, no, it's terrible," said another.

It was smooth sailing for straphangers at Jamaica Station on their evening commute.

LIRR workers were on hand at the Queens transit hub to guide passengers to the correct trains and tell them where they should be making transfers.

People NY1 spoke with say they were surprised there weren't many issues.

"It's not the Summer of Hell yet. It's been OK," said one rider. "It's an inconvenience, all the switching you have to do. Honestly, I can't complain, even though I want to."

"Half an hour, but you know, when you're trying to get home, you have child care and things like that," said another.

"I thought it was going to be really mad house crazy, but it's not bad," said a third.

The MTA is offering LIRR riders coming to and from Penn Station free subway transfers to the nearby E and J trains.