Oyster Bay Branch Get an Additional Morning Rush Train Direct to Penn Station
In Response to Demand, Schedules Realign Busiest Branches with Penn Station During Off-Peak Times
Schedules Available Online and in the TrainTime App in Mid-August
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) today announced that new schedules will go into effect on Tuesday, Sept. 3, and the railroad will – for the first time in its history – double the number of morning trains that run from Oyster Bay directly to Penn Station. In addition, there will be an additional direct morning train to Atlantic Terminal for riders at Valley Stream, Rosedale, Laurelton, and Locust Manor stations.
The LIRR has been constantly monitoring customer riding patterns and feedback, which has shown more off-peak riders prefer Penn Station than rush hour riders do. The new schedules change which branches run to which terminals during midday, late evening, and weekend hours to provide as many riders as possible with direct service to Penn Station, while continuing to offer robust service levels to those who prefer Grand Central Madison. For those customers who do have to transfer, schedules have been adjusted systemwide during these hours to provide more evenly spaced departures, reducing average wait times.
“The LIRR continues to focus on providing the best customer experience every day as we bring thousands of Long Islanders to work, school and local entertainment,” said LIRR President Rob Free. “By monitoring customer riding patterns and acting on the feedback that they provide, the LIRR has created new timetables with the focus on Safety, Reliability and the Customer Experience.”
Schedules will be available on the MTA website and in the TrainTime app in mid-August.
Significant changes are listed below by branch.
Babylon Branch
To allow for station renovation work at Babylon, which will requiring closing one of the two platforms on most weekends, service will generally consist of three trains per hour during middays, evenings, and weekends:
- A local train between Penn Station and Babylon
- An express train between Penn Station and Babylon. East of Jamaica, the train will stop at Freeport, Massapequa, and all stops to Babylon.
- A local train between Grand Central and Massapequa (extended to Babylon on weekday evenings).
Far Rockaway Branch
The 7:44 a.m. weekday train from Jamaica to Atlantic Terminal will now start in Valley Stream at 7:26 a.m. and make all stops.
On weekends, daytime trains will run to and from Grand Central instead of Penn Station. Customers can change at Jamaica for service to Penn Station.
Hempstead Branch
Westbound trains from Huntington and Ronkonkoma will resume stopping at Elmont-UBS Arena on weekday evenings.
Long Beach Branch
On weekends, trains will run to and from Penn Station instead of Grand Central. Customers can change at Jamaica for service to Grand Central or Atlantic Terminal.
Montauk Branch
There are no major changes to Montauk Branch service.
Oyster Bay Branch
The 7:17 a.m. weekday train from Oyster Bay will be extended to Penn Station. Customers can change at Jamaica for service to Hunterspoint Avenue, Grand Central or Atlantic Terminal.
Port Jefferson Branch
During middays, evenings, and weekends, both Huntington trains per hour will run to and from Penn Station. Customers can change at Jamaica for service to Grand Central or Atlantic Terminal.
Port Washington Branch
There are no major changes to Port Washington Branch service. Riders who transfer at Woodside should check for revised transfer times.
Ronkonkoma Branch
During middays, evenings, and weekends, both Ronkonkoma trains per hour will run to and from Penn Station. Customers can change at Jamaica for service to Grand Central or Atlantic Terminal.
Buses will substitute for midday weekday trains between Ronkonkoma and Greenport until mid-November to allow for track work.
West Hempstead Branch
During middays, evenings, and weekends, trains will run to and from Grand Central. Customers can change at Jamaica for service to Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal.
Brooklyn service
Midday and weekend service will consist of three shuttle trains per hour between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal.