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LIRR service changes starting March 4, 2024

These changes support track work throughout the system.
Updated February 16, 2024 10:00 a.m.

New timetables start on all LIRR branches on Monday, March 4, 2024. These changes support track work across the system including major work near the East River Tunnels to prepare for their reconstruction. Some lightly-used trains will no longer run and are repurposed to provide more evening service from Penn Station.

Many trains, including during rush hours, will depart Penn Station up to five minutes earlier or later. Trains are referenced below by their current departure times. Stops at Woodside, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, and St. Albans have also changed.

Major weekday changes are outlined below. There are minor changes to weekend service. If your train no longer runs, please use TrainTime or our schedule tool to find an alternative, which will most likely be within a few minutes. 

Even if your train is not listed below, we recommend double-checking your trip as there have been many minor time changes.

Babylon Branch

  • The 12:37 p.m. train from Penn Station to Babylon will start in Jamaica.
  • The 5:28 p.m. train from Penn Station to Babylon will leave from Grand Central.
  • The 6:12 p.m. train from Atlantic Terminal to Freeport will no longer run.
  • The 6:47 p.m. train from Grand Central to Wantagh will leave from Atlantic Terminal.
  • The 7:32 p.m. train from Penn Station to Wantagh will no longer run.
  • A new train will leave Penn Station at 10:14 p.m., stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, and all stops to Babylon.
  • There are many changes to weekday midday schedules as track work has finished. Direct service to Grand Central will resume from stations east of Massapequa.
  • Weekend service at Bellmore, Massapequa, and Amityville will be reduced to two trains per hour.

Far Rockaway and Long Beach Branches

  • A new train will depart Island Park at 7:48 a.m. and make all stops to Atlantic Terminal.
    • The 7:48 a.m. train from Far Rockaway to Penn Station will no longer stop at Locust Manor, Laurelton, or Rosedale.
  • The 4:57 p.m. train from Penn Station to Long Beach will leave 8 minutes earlier and add stops at Locust Manor, Laurelton, and Rosedale.
    • The 4:46 p.m. train from Atlantic Terminal to Far Rockaway will no longer stop at Locust Manor, Laurelton, and Rosedale.
  • The 5:20 p.m. train from Far Rockaway will run to Atlantic Terminal.
  • The 5:34 p.m. train from Penn Station to Far Rockaway will leave from Grand Central and add stops at Locust Manor, Laurelton, and Rosedale.
    • The 5:37 p.m. train from Penn Station to Long Beach will no longer stop at Locust Manor, Laurelton, or Rosedale.

Ronkonkoma Branch

  • The 7:28 a.m. train from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station will add stops at Deer Park and Wyandanch.
  • The 4:21 p.m. train from Penn Station to Farmingdale will no longer run.
    • The 4:10 p.m. train from Penn Station will add stops at New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place, and Westbury.
    • The 4:34 p.m. train from Penn Station will add stops at Bethpage, Farmingdale, Wyandanch, and Deer Park.
  • The 4:57 p.m. train from Grand Central to Central Islip will no longer run. The 4:54 p.m. train from Grand Central to Ronkonkoma will make the combined stops of both trains.
  • The 7:14 p.m. train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma will no longer run.
  • A new train will leave Penn Station at 10:58 p.m., stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, and all stops to Ronkonkoma except Pinelawn.
  • Buses will replace trains between Ronkonkoma and Greenport from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays through mid-May.

West Hempstead Branch

  • The 5:36 p.m. train from Grand Central to West Hempstead will leave from Atlantic Terminal.
  • Midday and evening West Hempstead Branch trains will run to and from Penn Station instead of Atlantic Terminal.

Brooklyn service

  • Starting at 9 p.m. westbound and 10 p.m. eastbound, service between Jamaica and Brooklyn will be reduced to two trains per hour. Additional trains will be provided after select events at the Barclays Center.