Metro-North Riders Can Use Grand Central Madison to Get to Long Island Beaches
MTA Away Presents Discounted Beach Packages and Escorted Tours
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MTA Long Island Rail Road Interim President and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi was joined by elected officials, Long Beach municipal leaders and lifeguards on the Long Beach Boardwalk to encourage New Yorkers to take the Long Island Rail Road to local beaches and highlight the LIRR’s summer packages and escorted tours. The opening of Grand Central Madison makes it easier than ever for Metro-North riders to get to Long Island beaches.
"The LIRR is the best way to explore everything Long Island has to offer this Summer,” said LIRR Interim President and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “Relax and skip the traffic while we get you to the beach, park, or winery. With increased service out of Grand Central Madison, we’re ready to serve communities across New York.”
“I really want to thank the MTA for their partnership over the years,” said Long Beach Police Commissioner and Acting City Manager Ronald Walsh. “What we really want to try to do here is get people to use our public transportation systems to come down to Long Beach. It's very, very challenging to park down here, but the great partnership that we have with the MTA, not only giving you the ability to purchase a beach pass, but also to get involved in our transportation system down here with our trolleys to get around town so that you don't need a car at all to come down here.”
“We want to make it as easy as we can. That railroad train pulls in less than a quarter of a mile from the beach, a short walk to the beach, or hop on one of the buses with your voucher for a free bus ride anywhere in town and you can frequent all that Long Beach has to offer,” said Long Beach Parks and Recreation Commissioner Joseph Brand. “So welcome to summer, welcome to Long Beach, and have a safe and healthy summer everybody.”
“We have, as we heard before, some of the most beautiful beaches in the country,” said Long Beach City Council President John Bendo. “We have fantastic restaurants and shops for people to visit. But as you've heard from some of the others, parking can be a challenge in our neighborhood. So the best way to get here, if you come in from out of town, is by the train. You're going to save money and you won't have to worry about parking. It is a nice short walk from the train station to get to one of the best beaches in the country."
"We've been here for 20 years and we know there's nothing better than being on this beach," said Lifeguard Michael Gillam. "Enjoying everything the beach has to offer with a quick train ride, a quick walk to the beach, and as lifeguards we are here to protect you and make sure your stay is as fun as possible."
"There's truly nothing better than summers in Long Beach," said Lifeguard Isabella Gillam. "Everyone in the lifeguard community is really excited to watch over you and we hope for a great summer.
The railroad provides additional service to Long Beach, Freeport, Montauk and Greenport. On weekends, Long Beach has one additional eastbound and one additional westbound train. There are also three additional eastbound and one additional westbound trains for travel to and from Freeport Station, the closest station to Jones Beach. On Fridays, the “Cannonball” Hamptons Express train will depart from Penn Station at 4:07 p.m. In addition, there are other Friday afternoon extra trains to the Hamptons and Montauk, and additional Sunday westbound departures back from Montauk and the Hamptons.
The LIRR carried approximately 227,489 riders on Tuesday, May 16, marking the 32nd time the railroad has eclipsed 200,000 riders in a single day since the opening of full service at Grand Central Madison.
MTA Away is offering discounted LIRR beach packages and summer/fall escorted tours to many popular Long Island attractions, including the Montauk Lighthouse, wine country, cruises and mansions, generating incremental ridership while supporting the Long Island economy and local businesses. Visit mtaaway.com for details.
Tickets for the LIRR’s summer packages and escorted tours can be purchased at Gray, Green or Blue Ticket Machines and ticket windows at LIRR stations. Select "MTA Away Deals," then "Long Island Deals" or "Escorted Tours," then the tour or package. Multiple tickets/vouchers will print.
Discounted Beach Packages
Long Beach
The Long Beach station is a short walk to the boardwalk and many local eateries.
The package includes discounted train tickets to/from Long Beach station, admission to the beach and a City of Long Beach trolley voucher. The package is valid on weekends from May 27, 2023 through June 25, 2023, then daily from June 26, 2023 through September 4, 2023.
Robert Moses
The Robert Moses package includes discounted train tickets to/from Babylon station and Suffolk County Transit bus S47 tickets to/from the beach. The package is valid from June 24, 2023 through September 4, 2023.
Fire Island Beaches
The Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines and Sailor’s Haven packages include discounted train tickets to/from Sayville station, round trip taxi vouchers, and round trip Sayville Ferry vouchers. The packages are valid from May 27, 2023 through September 4, 2023.
The Ocean Beach, Ocean Bay Park and Kismet/Fire Island Lighthouse packages include discounted train tickets to/from Bay Shore station, round trip taxi vouchers and round trip Fire Island Ferries ferry vouchers. The package is valid from May 27, 2023 through September 4, 2023.
The Davis Park package includes discounted train tickets to/from Patchogue station, round trip taxi vouchers, and round trip Davis Park Ferry vouchers. The package is valid from May 27, 2023 through September 4, 2023.
The Watch Hill package includes discounted train tickets to/from Patchogue station and round trip Davis Park Ferry ferry vouchers. Please note: the ferry to Watch Hill is located a short walk from the west end of Patchogue station at 160 West Avenue. No taxi vouchers are included. The package is valid from May 27, 2023 through September 4, 2023.
Jones Beach
The Jones Beach package includes discounted rail to and from Freeport station and bus transportation (NICE Bus n88) to the East or West Bathhouses or the Central Mall at Jones Beach. The package is valid from May 27, 2023 through September 4, 2023.