Construction and signal testing on the Long Island Rail Road's crucial Double Track project along the Ronkonkoma Branch in Suffolk County is in its final phase, and will require some temporary weeknight service changes on the branch this month. 

• Overnights: August 20-24, August 27-31.
• Buses will substitute for trains between Hicksville and Ronkonkoma between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
• Westbound customers will board buses at stations Ronkonkoma through Bethpage up to 45 minutes earlier than normal for Hicksville, where train service will resume.
• Eastbound customers will board buses in Hicksville, stopping at Bethpage through Ronkonkoma, and should expect up to 45 minutes additional travel time, depending on origin and destination.
• Note: Train service on these days from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. will run as scheduled.

Many Channels for Services Updates

Information about service changes noted in this press release and all planned 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.

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.

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.