LIRR to Receive Service Enhancements Across Several Branches

[Union Tpke]

IMMEDIATE

LIRR’s May Timetable Change Brings Service Enhancements to Montauk Branch and Port Jefferson Branch and Doubles North Fork Weekend Service

Nine Trains on Six Branches Being Lengthened for More Seating

Long Island Rail Road timetables change on May 21, bringing a number of schedule improvements that have been requested by customers. Other changes relate to ongoing track work and infrastructure improvements planned to take place this summer.

To help provide more seating on some of the LIRR’s busiest trains, the lengths of nine rush hour trains are being increased as part the new timetables.

Customers are advised to pick up a copy of their new branch timetable or review the new timetables online at the LIRR’s schedules page at http://web.mta.info/lirr/Timetable/. Printed copies of the timetables will be available at stations systemwide, and train schedules are also available via the LIRR Train Time app for iOS and Android.

Montauk Branch Service Improvements and Timetable Changes

With the activation of a modernized signal system between Speonk and Montauk, which previously had operated under a “manual block” without signals, also known as “dark territory,” the LIRR is now able to bolster morning rush hour service from Southampton, Hampton Bays and Westhampton by adding a daily one-seat ride to Penn Station for the first time ever. The Penn Station-bound train that currently originates at 5:08 a.m. at Speonk will be extended to originate from Southampton at 4:41 a.m. and stop at Hampton Bays at 4:51 a.m. and Westhampton at 5:00 a.m. before continuing on its current route, arriving at Penn Station at 7:02 a.m.

During overnight hours on weekends, one of the two tracks between Babylon and Sayville will be out of service to support Positive Train Control testing. As a result, two weekend overnight trains will operate on adjusted schedules of up to 12 minutes later.

Seasonal North Fork Weekend Service Doubles

As a result of an ongoing collaborative effort involving elected officials and community members that has led to the addition of an early morning ‘Fisherman’s Train’ and the addition of an early afternoon arrival in New York City, the LIRR is doubling weekend service to the North Fork for the summer season. For the first time, weekend service is operating with four round trips between Ronkonkoma and Greenport, as opposed to the two round trips per day that existed until this May, and in previous summers.

Port Jefferson Branch Service Enhancements and Timetable Changes

In response to customer requests for improved late night schedules, the Port Jefferson-bound train that currently originates at Jamaica at 2:10 a.m. and arrives at Port Jefferson at 3:36 a.m., will instead originate out of Jamaica 90 minutes earlier, at 12:40 a.m., and arrive in Port Jefferson at 2:06 a.m.

During weekday off-peak midday hours, because one of the two tracks between Syosset and Huntington will be out of service for continuous welded rail replacement, two trains will be adjusted by up to 3 minutes earlier.

Service Enhancement: Reverse Commute from Queens

In response to customer requests to increase train service for reverse commuters, the Hempstead-bound train departing Penn Station at 6:58 a.m. will have stops added at Forest Hills at 7:15 a.m. and Kew Gardens at 7:17 a.m. then Jamaica and all stops to Hempstead.

Lengthening Nine Trains on Six Branches

The LIRR is adding more cars to nine busy rush-hours trains to reduce crowding.

“We’re putting our cars where our customers need them most,” said LIRR President Phil Eng. “We looked at our equipment position tables and train schedules and found ways to more smartly deploy our cars so that some of our busiest trains get more seating. I’m looking to find more ways to reduce crowding. No one should have to stand if they don’t want to.”

These are the trains that will be getting longer:

Babylon Branch

The 6:13 a.m. train from Massapequa Park, which runs semi-express to arrive at Penn Station at 7:08 a.m., is being lengthened to 10 cars from its current eight.

The 6:31 a.m. train from Lindenhurst, which runs semi-express to arrive at Penn Station at 7:33 a.m., is being lengthened to 12 cars from its current 10.

Long Beach Branch

The 6:13 p.m. train from Penn Station, due into Long Beach at 7:10 p.m., is being lengthened to 12 cars from its current 10.

Montauk Branch

The 5:39 a.m. train from Montauk, due into Long Island City at 8:44 a.m., is being lengthened to eight cars from its current six.

The 6:17 p.m. train from Jamaica, due into Montauk at 9:07 p.m., is being lengthened to five cars from its current four.

Port Jefferson Branch

The 6:01 p.m. train from Penn Station, due into Hicksville at 6:45 p.m., is being lengthened to 10 cars from its current eight.

The 7:22 p.m. train from Penn Station, due into Huntington at 8:24 p.m., is being lengthened to 12 cars from its current 10.

Port Washington Branch

The 5:26 p.m. train from Penn Station which runs express to Great Neck then makes all stops to arrive at Port Washington at 6:04 p.m., is being lengthened to 12 cars from its current 10.

Ronkonkoma Branch

The 7:19 a.m. train from Ronkonkoma which stops at Central Islip and Brentwood before running express to Penn Station, arriving at 8:28 a.m., is being lengthened to 12 cars from its current 10.

Other Branch Timetable Changes

One of the two tracks between Atlantic Terminal and East New York will be out of service during weekday off-peak midday periods and weekends for Positive Train Control construction, renewal of tunnel lighting, reconstruction of the Nostrand Avenue station, upgrades to communications systems and work on the newly built Vanderbilt Yard near Atlantic Terminal.

As a result of these projects, during weekday mid-day off-peak times, schedules will be adjusted by up to four minutes on the Hempstead, Far Rockaway, Babylon, Port Jefferson, and Ronkonkoma Branches. On weekends, some Far Rockaway, Hempstead, and Long Beach Branch trains’ schedules are adjusted from current schedules by between 3 and 10 minutes.

Many Channels for Services Updates

Information about schedules and train service status, and planned and unplanned service changes is available through the LIRR’s real-time service information sources:

Email and text message service updates – Customers are urged to sign up to receive the alerts by visiting MyMTAAlerts.com. To avoid unwanted messages, a user can tailor the messages to the specific branch, and the specific times of day.

LIRR Train Time app – Customers who use the LIRR Train Time app will see up-to-the-minute status for each upcoming train at each station. As a caution, trains that start out their trips on time may experience delays en route.

MTA.info – The rail tab of the “Service Status” box at the left side of www.MTA.info is always the definitive source for the latest status for each branch, updated every minute. In addition, customers can visit www.mta.info/lirr to see special service notices in the upper center of the page.

@LIRR on Twitter – Twitter users can follow @LIRR to receive updates of a similar nature to the email and text alerts, shortened to fit Twitter’s format.

The above communications channels can be accessed while at home or on the go. For customers who are located at stations, the LIRR will post the latest service updates on digital signs at station platforms and will make audio announcements over public address systems, and on-board announcements made by train crews.

For those who prefer the telephone, information is available from the LIRR’s Customer Service Center by calling 511, the New York State Travel Information Line, and saying: “Long Island Rail Road” Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the LIRR at 511.

[IAlam]

Thanks for the update but no need for the long title.

[Lance]

Adjusted the thread title as that word salad was tough to swallow.