LIRR Thanksgiving Service Plan Info
Here is the Thanksgiving service plan info for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR):
The busy holiday season is fast approaching and the MTA Long Island Rail Road is ready with additional service to get travelers where they want to be starting with Thanksgiving. Avoid traffic and parking fees by taking the LIRR. Additional trains will operate on Wednesday, November 21 and on Thanksgiving Day, November 22 and, as an extra bonus, off-peak fares will be in effect for the entire four-day holiday weekend.
As a reminder for Long Beach customers, due to the severe flood damage to the electrical substations on the Long Beach Branch and train yard by Superstorm Sandy, the LIRR will be providing diesel shuttle service between Long Beach and Lynbrook on Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve, and the Friday after Thanksgiving between 5 AM and 9 PM. Shuttle bus service will be provided on Thanksgiving Day and the weekend between Long Beach and Lynbrook from 5 AM to 9 PM. Please consult the LIRR’s website at www.mta.info/lirr for details. The LIRR is continuing its work to repair three of four electrical substations damaged by Sandy, along with switches and other vital equipment, to return electric train service back to the branch as soon as possible.
On Black Friday, November 23, traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, the LIRR will run a near-normal weekday train schedule even though off-peak fares will be in effect all day – including the special Family Fare discount. Under the Family Fare program, up to four children, ages 5-11, can ride trains that day for the advance purchase fare of 75 cents each (one-way) when accompanied by a fare-paying parent or guardian. Weekly and monthly ticket holders just pay for the kids. Children under five ride free.
Additionally, the Thanksgiving weekend marks the start of extra weekend trains to make travel to and from New York City a snap for shopping, dining and entertainment. Beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s Day, customers will find the LIRR the most convenient way to take in all New York has to offer. The added weekend service for the holiday season can be found in new LIRR timetables dated Monday, November 12. The six holiday service weekends are November 24-25, December 1-2, December 8-9, December 15-16, December 22-23 and December 29-30.
So, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, relax and leave the driving to the LIRR. To ensure easy rail travel, customers are advised to follow these travel tips:
Purchase before you go. Round trip tickets, including MetroCards for connecting subway and bus service, can be purchased in advance in order to save time and avoid lines at LIRR ticket windows and New York City Transit MetroCard windows and ticket machines.
Use one of the LIRR’s extra trains. On Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 21, there will be nine extra trains departing Penn Station between 2:08 PM and 3:48 PM and one extra train from Hunterspoint Avenue at 4:06 PM for customers leaving work early for the holiday.
Be sober and responsible. Open alcoholic beverage containers will not be allowed on LIRR trains, stations and on platforms from 8:00 PM, Wednesday, November 21 through 5:00 AM, Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), November 22. MTA Police will enforce this restriction.
Wednesday, November 21:
On Wednesday, November 21, the extra afternoon service from Penn Station includes: three trains operating on the Port Jefferson Branch (one to Hicksville, two to Huntington), three on the Babylon Branch, and one each on the Port Washington Branch to Great Neck and on the Far Rockaway Branch. An extra train will depart Hunterspoint Avenue on the Montauk Branch.
Port Jefferson Branch to Hicksville/Huntington:
2:08 PM stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, then all stops to Huntington
2:29 PM stopping at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Huntington
3:24 PM stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville
Babylon Branch:
2:32 PM express to Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon
3:00 PM stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon
3:31PM express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon
Port Washington Branch to Great Neck:
3:40 PM stopping at Woodside, Flushing-Main St., then all stops to Great Neck
Far Rockaway Branch:
3:48 PM express to Locust Manor, then all stops to Far Rockaway
Montauk Branch:
The eastbound Montauk train that normally operates Fridays-only will operate on Wednesday, November 21. The train is the 4:06 PM from Hunterspoint Avenue, stopping at Jamaica, then operating express to Westhampton, making all local stops to Montauk. The 4:01 PM train from Penn Station to Huntington connects with the Montauk train at Jamaica.
Thanksgiving Day, November 22:
Throughout Thanksgiving Day, a holiday schedule will be in effect. Twenty-two extra trains are being added to the holiday schedule for those attending the Parade or visiting their families – including nine extra westbound and 14 extra eastbound trains. Cars will also be added to select trains to accommodate holiday travelers.
As we continue our recovery work from the severe flood damage on the Long Beach Branch and in the train yard, shuttle bus service will be provided between Long Beach and Lynbrook from 5 AM and 9 PM on Thanksgiving Day, as well as on Saturday and Sunday.
Westbound
Babylon Branch (two trains from Wantagh):
7:01 AM and 7:45 AM trains from Wantagh, making all stops to Lynbrook, Jamaica and Penn Station
Montauk Branch (from Speonk):
12:21 PM from Speonk, making all stops to Babylon, Jamaica and Penn Station
Ronkonkoma Branch (two added trains):
6:10 AM and 7:10 AM trains from Ronkonkoma, making all stops to Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica, Woodside and Penn Station
Port Jefferson Branch:
6:01 AM from Port Jefferson making all stops to Huntington, Jamaica and Penn Station
Port Washington Branch (three added trains):
7:10 AM, 8:10 AM and 9:10 AM trains from Port Washington making all stops to Flushing-, Main St., Woodside and Penn Station.
Eastbound
Between 11:33 AM and 1:36 PM, 14 extra trains will depart from Penn Station to accommodate customers returning from the parade. Four of the extra trains will operate on the Babylon Branch, four on the Ronkonkoma Branch, three on the Port Washington Branch, two on the Port Jefferson Branch and one will operate on the Montauk Branch to Speonk. Branch timetables dated November 12-December 16 contain regular eastbound departures from Penn Station, as well as the times of the extra trains.
The extra eastbound trains from Penn Station include:
Babylon Branch (four trains to Babylon):
11:54 AM, 12:30 PM, 12:56 PM, and 1:22 PM trains from Penn Station, stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all local stops to Babylon.
Montauk Branch (to Speonk):
6:09 AM train from Penn Station, stopping at Jamaica, Freeport, and then all local stops to Speonk.
Ronkonkoma Branch (four added trains):
11:33 AM train from Penn Station, stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, then all stops to Ronkonkoma.
12:33 PM train from Penn Station, stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, New Hyde park, Mineola, Carle Place, Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, then all stops to Ronkonkoma.
1:05 PM train from Penn Station, stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops the Farmingdale.
1:34 PM train from Penn Station, stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, then all stops to Ronkonkoma.
Port Jefferson/Huntington Branch (two added trains):
12:03 PM train from Penn Station, stopping at Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Huntington.
12:07 PM train from Penn Station, stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville then all stops to Port Jefferson.
Port Washington Branch (three added trains):
11:36 AM, 12:36 PM, and the 1:36 PM trains from Penn Station, stopping at Woodside, Flushing-main St., and then all stops to Port Washington.
Friday, November 23:
LIRR trains will operate on a near-normal weekday schedule on Friday, November 23 – with the exception of the diesel shuttle service on the Long Beach Branch from 5 AM to 9 PM. Off-peak fares will be in effect all day Friday, making it more economical to travel to the City for holiday shopping and events.
Saturday & Sunday, November 24-25:
The LIRR will be operating on a regular weekend schedule with off-peak fares on Saturday and Sunday, November 24 & 25, with the exception of shuttle bus service for Long Beach Branch customers being offered between Long Beach and Lynbrook from 5 AM through 9 PM.
Starting Saturday, November 24 the LIRR is adding extra weekend trains to make travel to and from New York City more convenient for shopping, dining and entertainment. The added weekend holiday service continues on five additional weekends – December 1-2, December 8-9, December 15-16, December 22-23 and December 29-30.
The extra trains are on the following branches:
Port Washington Branch:
Eight extra trains are being added to Saturday and Sunday schedule four westbound trains between 9 AM and 1 PM and four eastbound trains between 4 PM and 8 PM. These additional trains means the LIRR will be providing half-hourly service during this holiday travel time period.
Port Jefferson Branch:
The LIRR will add one overnight train between Penn Station and Huntington to accommodate customers taking in late night events in the city during the holidays.
Babylon Branch:
The LIRR will add one overnight train between Penn Station and Babylon to accommodate customers taking in late night events in the city during the holidays.
Ronkonkoma Branch:
Three westbound trains between Farmingdale and Penn Station will be added to Saturday and Sunday schedules between 10 AM and 1 PM and three westbound trains between Penn Station and Farmingdale will be added to the weekend schedules between 4 PM and 7 PM. These particular trains were added with the started with the new November 12 timetable and after the holidays will remain part of the regular schedule to permanently enhance service along this busy corridor.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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This is a great news that hey are providing with such facilities for the people to travel with the buses and trains. Moreover, it liked the various concept of the children from 5-11 and then further. The shuttle bus timings are just perfect i.e 5AM to 9PM, what else one can expect from this.