ATTENTION ASSIGNMENT EDITORS:

This press release updates a release issued on Tuesday, November 1.

Scheduled track work on the Babylon and Montauk Branches over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and November 6 will mean significant service changes on those branches as the LIRR undertakes a switch replacement project in Freeport and concrete tie installation east of Speonk.

Buses will replace trains on the Montauk Branch between Speonk and Babylon. Babylon Branch service will be reduced from half-hourly to hourly as will eastbound service to Forest Hills and Kew Gardens stations in Queens. The project will also result in some service adjustments on the Long Beach Branch and at St. Albans Station on the West Hempstead Branch.

The service changes are expected to impact approximately 26,000 customers over the two days.

To avoid the busing and longer travel time, customers on the affected branches should consider using the Ronkonkoma Branch or Huntington-Port Jefferson Branch instead.

Check the Special Branch Timetables

For specific train times, customers should consult the Special Branch Timetables for the Babylon, Montauk and West Hempstead branches and the Special Timecards for the Long Beach branch and Forest Hills/Kew Gardens service at http://web.mta.info/lirr/Timetable/ or pick up copies at terminals or branch stations.

Here is a summary of the key service changes.

Branch

Weekend of Saturday, Nov. 5 & Sunday, Nov. 6

Montauk Branch

Westbound

• Customer will transfer to stations Speonk through Bay Shore will board buses to Babylon, then connect with trains for service to points west. Expect up to 37 minutes of additional travel time.

Eastbound

• Customers will transfer to buses at Babylon for travel to stations Bay Shore through Speonk. Expect up to 37 minutes of additional travel time.
• Customers traveling to stations east of Speonk will travel by train to Babylon and change there for express bus service to Speonk where trains service will resume to points east.

Babylon Branch

• Service between Babylon and Penn Station is reduced from half-hourly to hourly.
• Buses will replace trains between Rockville Centre and Wantagh starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, November 6 until 1 a.m. on Monday.
• Please plan for 45 minutes of additional travel time.
• Some trains will depart up to 15 minutes later than usual.
• The westbound 12:57 a.m. train from Babylon will depart 14 minutes earlier than usual.

Forest Hills/Kew Gardens Stations

Eastbound train service at Forest Hills and Kew Gardens will be reduced from half-hourly to hourly. For specific service changes consult the Special Weekend Timecards for each branch and station.

West Hempstead Branch/St. Albans Station

Weekend trains to and from St. Albans will depart up to 30 minutes later than usual train time. For specific service changes consult the Special Weekend Timecards for each branch and station.

For Additional Information

For train schedules and real-time train status, customers should download LIRRTrain Time™, the Railroad’s official app available via the Apple Store for iOS devices or Google Play Store for Android along with MTA eTix™ - LIRR’s mobile ticketing app which allows customers to buy LIRR tickets on their mobile device -- anytime, anywhere.  Customers can also sign up for LIRR Service Alerts via text or email by registering at www.mymtaalerts.com. Assistance is also available from the LIRR’s Customer Service Center by calling 511, the New York State Travel Information Line, and saying: Long Island Rail Road. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the LIRR at

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