The new third track between Floral Park and Hicksville is now open.
In addition to the new third track, we have been working on the Queens Interlocking modernization project, which will allow LIRR trains to fully serve the new Elmont-UBS Arena station. Trains are now stopping there in both directions when there are events at the UBS Arena. When LIRR service to Grand Central begins, Elmont-UBS Arena will become a full-time station.
This is the last weekend shutdown of the corridor in 2022. We appreciate your patience during the past few years of construction.
Service change schedule
Starting at 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 29, trains will not run between Jamaica and Hicksville, East Williston, or Hempstead. Normal service resumes at 2:30 a.m. on Monday morning October 31.
If you typically ride the Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, Oyster Bay, or Hempstead Branches, we strongly encourage you to use the south shore or the Port Washington Branch this weekend. Islanders fans attending the October 29 game are advised to consider alternate means of transportation, as there will be no LIRR train or bus service to UBS Arena.
Special timetables will be in effect on all branches. We are adding more trains to the Babylon Branch to help you get around, and there are minor departure/connection time changes on all other branches, including on Friday evening.
Over this weekend, crews will be busy commissioning the new switches and signals between Elmont-UBS Arena and Bellerose. These new switches will allow westbound Hempstead Branch trains to stop at Elmont-UBS Arena on event days, and we expect to begin doing so with the Islanders game on November 7.
To perform this work, we have to shut down all four tracks between Jamaica and Floral Park and all three tracks from Floral Park to Hicksville. This means that in addition to the Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, and Oyster Bay Branch service changes that were necessary throughout much of 2020, 2021, and 2022, we can't run Hempstead Branch trains either.
We will also take advantage of the outage to finish the installation of long-lasting concrete ties near Mineola.
How to get around
Port Jefferson Branch
Trains will only run east of Hicksville. They will run every hour as far as Huntington, and every two hours to Port Jefferson.
At Hicksville, a special shuttle train will be available to Babylon, where service to and from Penn Station and Jamaica is available.
This detour will add an hour to your trip, so we recommend that you take the Babylon or Montauk Branches if you can.
Ronkonkoma Branch
Trains will run between Hicksville and Ronkonkoma once an hour. East of Ronkonkoma, trains will run on an adjusted schedule.
At Hicksville, a special double-decker shuttle train will be available to Babylon, where service to and from Penn Station and Jamaica is available.
Bethpage riders: Only the special shuttle train will stop at Bethpage. If you are going toward NYC, you will need to board the eastbound train on Platform B, toward Babylon. If you are going toward Ronkonkoma, board the westbound train on Platform A to Hicksville and transfer there for electric trains to Ronkonkoma.
This detour will add an hour to your trip, so we recommend that you take the Babylon or Montauk Branches if you can.
Hempstead Branch
Trains will not run between Jamaica and Hempstead. Buses will be available in two segments:
- Between Jamaica, Hollis, Queens Village, Bellerose, and Mineola stations. Some of these buses will also stop at East Williston for Oyster Bay trains.
- Between Jamaica, Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Nassau Boulevard, Garden City, and Hempstead stations.
Using the bus will add up to an hour to your trip, so we recommend that you take the West Hempstead Branch or use Valley Stream or Lynbrook stations if you can.
Due to the narrow streets and low bridges in the area, there will be no bus service at Country Life Press. We recommend using the Garden City or Mineola bus stops instead.
Oyster Bay Branch
Trains will run between East Williston and Oyster Bay only.
At East Williston, buses will be available to Mineola and Jamaica, where train service to Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal is available.
Using the bus will add up to an hour to your trip, so we recommend that you take the Port Washington Branch if you can.
UBS Arena
There will be no LIRR train or bus service to UBS Arena. Fans attending Saturday night's Islanders game are advised to consider alternate means of transportation.
Those coming from points west may consider the Q2 and Q110 buses. The Q2 connects with the train at Jamaica-179 St, and the Q110 connects with the trains at Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer.
Mineola Station
Shuttle bus service is available between Jamaica and Mineola. Your LIRR ticket will also be accepted on the NICE n22 and n24 bus routes for travel between Jamaica and Hicksville.
If you are traveling between midnight and 5 a.m., a special shuttle bus will run between Mineola and Hicksville, making no stops in between.
To avoid busing, use the Babylon Branch instead.
New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Carle Place, and Westbury Stations
These stations will be closed. Your LIRR ticket will be accepted on the NICE n22 and n24 bus routes for travel between Jamaica and Hicksville, including stops near these stations. These bus routes connect with the train at Jamaica-179 St station.
Shuttle bus service to Jamaica is also available at the nearby Mineola, Stewart Manor, and Nassau Boulevard stations.
To avoid busing, use the Port Washington or Babylon Branches instead.
Plan your trip
Use the LIRR TrainTime app to view departure times and plan your trip. You can also download the special timetable for your branch.
Completed weekends
2022
- January 22-23
- February 12-13
- March 19-20
- March 26-28
- April 2-4
- April 9-11
- April 23-24
- April 30-May 2
- May 14-16
- May 21-23
- July 9-11
- July 30-August 1
- August 6-8
- August 26-29
- September 9-12
- September 16-19
- September 23-26
- September 30-October 3
2021
- January 9-10
- January 16-17
- February 6-7
- February 27-28
- March 13
- April 10
- April 24-25
- May 1-2
- June 12-14
- June 26-28
- July 10-12
- September 11-12
- September 18-29
- October 23-24
- October 30-31