Changes to LIRR Port Jefferson Branch service in 2023

Learn about changes to Port Jefferson Branch service.

Archived page

This page describes service changes that were made in February 2023 and does not reflect subsequent service adjustments.

New Hyde Park through Huntington

The electric portion of the Port Jefferson Branch is one of the busiest and most crowded parts of our network. With the completion of the Main Line Third Track, we can run more trains all day, every day. 

Peak service 

During the morning and evening rush hours, 14 electric trains will run between Huntington and Manhattan. These will be split between Penn Station and Grand Central. Most will make all stops between Huntington and New Hyde Park, providing significantly more service to stations west of Hicksville.

Huntington is also served by diesel express trains to and from Port Jefferson.  

Riders at Mineola and Hicksville will have additional service from Oyster Bay (Mineola only), Ronkonkoma, and Montauk Branch trains. Combined, each station will see approximately 30 trains each way, 40-50% more than today. 

Check the TrainTime app or the timetable for options at your station. 

Off-peak service

Two trains per hour will run during off-peak hours. Trains will alternate between Penn Station and Grand Central, providing hourly service to and from each. Customers who need the other terminal or Brooklyn can change at Jamaica. 

Trains will make all stops between New Hyde Park and Huntington. Some trains will also stop at Floral Park, Queens Village, and Hollis. On weekday evenings and during most of the day on weekends, trains will stop at Elmont-UBS Arena. 

Two Ronkonkoma Branch trains per hour will also stop at Hicksville and Mineola, providing four trains an hour at these stations. 

This new schedule doubles current service at most stations. It will also close the existing 60 to 90-minute gaps in reverse peak service and provide new access to job centers in the heart of Nassau County. 

Greenlawn through Port Jefferson

Service levels east of Huntington will remain relatively unchanged. Diesel trains operate here, and we are limited by the number of cars and locomotives that we have.  

There will not be direct service to Grand Central from this area. To reach Grand Central or Atlantic Terminal, you will have to transfer at Jamaica or Huntington as you do today. 

Peak service

Eight morning and seven afternoon trains will run east of Huntington. Two of these roundtrips will be dual-mode trains with direct service to Penn Station. The schedule has been adjusted to provide more even service at the height of rush hour. The remaining trains will operate to and from Huntington or Hunterspoint Avenue. 

More trains will stop at Huntington to provide a transfer opportunity for those traveling to Nassau County. To speed up trips, diesel trains will no longer stop at Syosset or Cold Spring Harbor. 

Off-peak service

Trains will run roughly every 90 minutes between Huntington and Port Jefferson, making all stops. Transfer at Huntington for service to all points west.