MTA Long Island Rail Road timetables are changing on March 4, bringing new service to the South Fork of Long Island and accommodating Montauk Branch track work, as crews replace rail ties between Babylon and Sayville. This work will continue through May 17.

Starting on Monday, March 4, the LIRR will add six trains per day east of Speonk, three one-way trips in the mornings and three in the afternoon. Select trains will connect with shuttles at East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Southampton, Amagansett and Montauk that will transport customers to and from selected employment centers and workplaces.

A joint fare covering trains and shuttles is set at $4.25 one way. Tickets will be available at select full-service ticket vending machines, where South Fork Commuter Connection ticket will be listed under “Deals & Getaways.” Customers are encouraged to purchase a return trip ticket in advance.

A track renewal project starting on March 4 will necessitate buses replacing two eastbound and two westbound trains between Babylon and Speonk, Monday – Friday from 8:45 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. The railway tie replacement project is expected to last until May 17.

Eastbound Trains Affected:

• Passengers on the 10:26 a.m. from Penn Station will board buses at Babylon for stations Bay Shore through Speonk.
• Passengers on the 11:22 a.m. from Penn Station will board buses at Babylon for stations Bay Shore through Patchogue.

Passengers should expect up to 30 minutes of additional travel time.

Westbound Trains Affected:

• Buses will substitute for the train that normally originates at 10:25 a.m. from Patchogue and will make all local stops to Babylon, where customers will connect to a 10:53 a.m. train to Penn Station.
• Buses will substitute for the train that normally originates at 2:00 p.m. from Speonk and will make all local stops to Babylon, where customers will connect to a 3:06 p.m. train to Penn Station.

Passengers travelling from stations between Patchogue and Babylon and Speonk and Babylon will board buses 30 minutes earlier than normal.

Many Channels for Services Updates

Information about the service changes noted in this press release and all planned service changes is available through the LIRR’s real-time service information sources:

1. myLIRR.org – Customers can see real-time positions of upcoming trains in real time, on a smartphone-optimized map that refreshes every 3- to 5-seconds, by logging into myLIRR.org.

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.

MYmta app – Customers who use the new, comprehensive MYmta app will see real-time travel information for LIRR and connecting services all in one place. As a caution, trains that start out their trips on time may experience delays en route. The LIRR Train Time app also remains available for customers to access LIRR train information.

1. mta.info – “Service Status” on the homepage of new.mta.info, and 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.