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LIRR Introduces The Belmont Special

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2008 at 2:37 am

Yesterday afternoon the Long Island Rail Road e-mailed me a couple of press releases regarding the introduction of the 2008 LIRR Belmont Special. The press releases which should become public on their site later today stated the following:

Press Release #1:

The thoroughbreds are back from Saratoga for the start of the fall racing season and Long Islanders can take the fast and easy way to the track with the MTA Long Island Rail Road’s “Belmont Special” to beautiful Belmont Park. The LIRR’s package ticket includes round-trip rail transportation and a $1 discount off the $2 grandstand admission to the track.

Starting Friday, September 5, and continuing through Sunday, October 26, LIRR trains will operate to and from Belmont Park on all racing days. First race begins at 1:00 PM. The track is closed for racing on Mondays and Tuesdays, with the exception of Monday, October 13, Columbus Day. The track is also closed for racing on Wednesday, October 15.

The LIRR’s discount package ticket for travel from Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties is valid on off-peak trains arriving in Jamaica in time to transfer to the “Belmont Special” to the Park.

Round Trip Package Fares To Belmont Park (purchased at LIRR stations only):

Zone 3 (Rosedale, St Albans, Queens Village, Hollis) — $8.00

Zone 4 (Far Rockaway, Lynbrook, Hempstead, Mineola) — $9.75

Zone 7 (Long Beach, Massapequa, Hicksville, Oyster Bay) — $11.50

Zone 9 (Babylon, Deer Park, Huntington, Northport) — $14.50

Zone 10 (Bay Shore, Sayville, Ronkonkoma, Patchogue, Port Jefferson) — $17.75

Tickets for the “Belmont Special” can be purchased at LIRR stations in advance or on the day of the trip — this ticket will not be sold on the train. The special package ticket to Belmont is not available for travel from stations on the Port Washington Branch.

Weekly and monthly ticket holders can use their tickets for travel to Jamaica and need only purchase an $8.00 round-trip package ticket at a LIRR station prior to boarding the Belmont Special to cover the fare between Belmont Park and Jamaica. Round-trip tickets are not sold on-board trains. One-way tickets for travel between Jamaica and Belmont, sold on trains to use in conjunction with a monthly or weekly ticket, are $9.00. A one-way ticket from Jamaica to Belmont, purchased at an LIRR station to use in conjunction with a monthly or weekly ticket, is $5.00.

Belmont Package tickets are also available at LIRR full-service “Tickets” machines at stations – just press the “Getaways/Packages” button on the first screen; then select “Belmont Park.” Payment can be made with cash, ATM/Debit or Credit Cards. The ticket office at Belmont is closed and there are no ticket machines at Belmont.

To avoid higher on-board fares and save time, customers should purchase round-trip tickets in advance. (Please note: CityTicket is not valid for travel to or from Belmont Park.)

Racing fans should pick up a copy of the LIRR’s Belmont Park Fall Meet timetable at line stations and western terminals, or contact the LIRR’s 24-hour Travel Information Center in Suffolk County at 631-231-LIRR, or in Nassau County at 516-822-LIRR for schedule information. The Travel Information Center’s TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022. Belmont schedule information is also available on the LIRR’s website at: www.mta.info

Press Release #2:

The new fall racing season is getting underway and the MTA Long Island Rail Road is the winning route to beautiful Belmont Park. The LIRR’s “Belmont Special” package ticket includes round-trip rail transportation and a $1 discount off the $2 grandstand admission to the track. Starting Friday, September 5, and continuing through Sunday, October 26, LIRR trains will operate to and from Belmont Park for all racing days. First race begins at 1:00 PM. The track is closed for racing on Mondays and Tuesdays, with the exception of Monday, October 13, Columbus Day. The track is also closed for racing on Wednesday, October 15.

Belmont Park is only a half-hour from midtown Manhattan by train.

Package Fares To Belmont Park purchased from station:

Zone 1 (NY, Brooklyn, & Woodside)

$6 one way & $11 round trip

Zone 3 (Jamaica)

$5 one way & $8 round trip

Package Fares To Belmont Park purchased on-board train:

Zone 1 (NY, Brooklyn, & Woodside)

$10 one way; round trip n/a

Zone 3 (Jamaica)

$9 one way; round trip n/a

Round-trip and one-way tickets for the “Belmont Special” can be purchased at LIRR stations in advance or on the day of the trip. Round trip tickets will not be sold on the train — only one-way tickets are available for purchase on the train.

Belmont Package tickets are also available at LIRR full-service “Tickets” machines at stations – just press the “Getaways/Packages” button on the first screen; then select “Belmont Park.” Payment can be made with cash, ATM/Debit or Credit Cards. The ticket office at Belmont is closed and there are no ticket machines at Belmont.

To avoid higher on-board fares and save time, customers should purchase round-trip tickets in advance. Commutation tickets are not valid on Belmont Park trains.
(Please note: CityTicket is not valid for travel to or from Belmont Park.)

Racing fans should pick up a copy of the LIRR’s Belmont Park Fall Meet timetable at line stations and western terminals, or contact the LIRR’s 24 hour Travel Information Center in New York City at 718 217 LIRR for schedule information. The Travel Information Center’s TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022. Belmont schedule information is also available on the LIRR’s website at www.mta.info.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Man Dies After Motorcycle Hits A MTA Bus

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2008 at 2:25 am

A few days ago, Newsday featured a brief story about a man who died after his motorcycle crashed into a MTA bus. Here is that brief story courtesy of Newsday:

NEW YORK – One man is dead after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a New York City bus.

Police say 43-year-old Derrick Walker struck the MTA bus near the corner of Richmond Terrace and Morningstar Road on Staten Island. Walker was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police say the Thursday night accident remains under investigation. They say the bus driver remained with his vehicle and is not expected to be charged.

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Safe Transfers Between Bus & Subway Could Come To Gun Hill Road

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2008 at 2:21 am

Many riders transfer between the bus & subway every day. This is no different at the intersection of Gun Hill Road & White Plains Road where multiple bus lines meet up with the 2 & 5 (part time). The intersection which has plenty of traffic day in & day out has become quite hazardous for riders who are trying to connect to the other form of public transportation available.

However the days of the hazardous connections might be coming to an end if the MTA gets their way. The agency wants to build the borough’s first “intermodal transport facility.” Dorian Block of the New York Daily News has more in this report:

Transit riders in one Bronx neighborhood won’t have to fight traffic while transferring between subway and bus, and they’ll get some shelter from rain and snow.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority is designing the borough’s first “intermodal transport facility” next to the Gun Hill Road station on White Plains Road.

The estimated $6 million enclosed station will connect the No. 2 and 5 subway lines with the many bus lines that run through the area.

Subway riders who previously crossed traffic-filled White Plains Road to transfer to buses will now be able to board the buses right from the subway station exit. The roofed area, which will shelter commuters from the rain and snow, is expected to be completed by 2010.

Click here for the complete report.

As a former Bronx resident who frequented the area, I can attest to how dangerous of an intersection this is. I myself have had a nightmare of a time transferring between bus & subway or just trying to cross the street. I feel this project will be greatly appreciated by the riders who travel to & from this location. I can’t wait!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA & NYC Transit Buses Rerouted Due To NFL Kickoff Concert

Posted by
on September 2nd, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Just a few minutes ago I received a press release from NYC Transit talking about the rerouting of MTA & NYC Transit buses due to NFL season kickoff concert that is taking place this upcoming Thursday. Here are the details from the release that should hit the MTA site later today:

MTA and NYC Transit buses in Midtown Manhattan will be rerouted as the National Football League ushers in its 89th season with an opening kick-off concert at 59th Street/Columbus Circle. From 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 4 to 6 a.m. Friday, September 5, the following bus routes in the vicinity of 59th Street-Columbus Circle will be affected: M5, M6, M7, M10, M20, M104, X1, X6, X7, X9, and BxM2.

Customers may call the NYC Transit Travel Information Center daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 718-330-1234 or log on to www.tripplanner.mta.info for travel itinerary information.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 08-29

Posted by
on August 29th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

I have just updated the service diversions page with the latest scheduled diversions for this weekend plus next week (and beyond in some cases). Don’t forget to check in for any changes to the page. I also suggest printing out a copy of the page to use while riding the system. Have a safe & wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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