MTA Railroads and NYC Transit Provide Deals and Incentives to
#TakeTheTrain and #TakeTheBus to the Beaches
View Photos from News Conference
View Video from News Conference
With the July 4th holiday weekend upon us, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is providing incentives for customers who take the rails, subways and buses to get to beaches across Long Island, New York City and Westchester. Avoiding traffic, reducing CO2 emissions, and bypassing parking fees are just a few of the benefits of taking public transportation to area destinations this summer.
As announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on May 12, beaches will reopen to 100% capacity by July 4, just in time for the Jovia Financial Credit Union Fireworks Spectacular at Jones Beach. Jones Beach is among the many discounted beach packages offered by MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
"Summertime is here and Long Island is back. Our heroic workforce has gotten us through the worst of this pandemic, and we’re still here helping to rebuild New York’s economy and provide our customers a little fun in the sun while we’re at it," said LIRR President Phil Eng. "Along with State Parks and NICE Bus we're proud to once again offer discounted beach packages -- a LIRR fan favorite -- to get you to several of the world-class beaches across Long Island. Grab your beach towel, sunscreen, and hit the beach with us all summer long.”
“From the world-renowned Coney Island Boardwalk to the popular Orchard Beach Promenade, New York City has so many great opportunities to soak up the sun,” said Chief Customer Officer Sarah Meyer. “And all of them have several options for travel by subway or bus.”
“Nassau County has so much to offer and as we safely reopen, I encourage all to come out and explore our beautiful region this summer,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “Both LIRR and NICE Bus offer convenient alternatives to traffic -- so whether you are coming out for the Jones Beach Fireworks show, taking a family staycation or visiting on a vacation, consider public transportation to travel to our breathtaking beaches, lively downtowns, world class restaurants and countless outdoor destinations.”
“Come to Jones Beach and avoid the traffic by taking a relaxing ride on the Long Island Rail Road,” said George “Chip” Gorman, Regional Director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “Once you arrive take a stroll on the boardwalk and enjoy the ocean views. You can have fun at the new mini golf course, refurbished shuffle board courts or at WildPlay Adventure Park. You can also dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean and have a bite to eat at our new food venues. Come and make a day of it.”
“We are extremely happy to once again partner with the LIRR in order to offer seamless Jones Beach Service to our Customers,” said Jack Khzouz, CEO, Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) Bus. “Our common goals have always been to find ways to create a robust and innovative transit system for Long Island. “
The beach partnership coincides with the MTA’s #TakeTheTrain, #TakeTheBus Campaign which features “New York is Open” images of the region’s alluring open spaces that can be reached by MTA services, such as Long Beach – encouraging people to use the MTA’s trains and buses to get out and explore all the region has to offer.
Getting to New York City Area Beaches
Brooklyn
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Brighton Beach is a short walk from the Ocean Parkway station and the B1 and B68 bus.
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Coney Island Beach boardwalk is across the street from the West 8 St-New York Aquarium Station and the Coney Island-Stillwell Av Station. The beach is also a short walk from the B36, B68, B74 and B82 bus.
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Special note: F service will not be available on the following weekends south of Church Avenue to West 8 Street-New York Aquarium and Coney Island-Stillwell Av: July 10-11, July 17-18, July 24-25, Jul 31-Aug 1. Take the or trains to Coney Island or the B68 instead.
service replaces service to Coney Island the following weekends: August 7-8 and August 14-16.service will not be available between 86 St and Stillwell Av on the following weekends: August 28-29 and September 4-6. Take the or trains to Coney Island or the B68 instead.
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Manhattan Beach is across the street from the B1 and B49 bus.
Bronx
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Orchard Beach and Promenade is a short walk from the Bx12 bus.
Queens
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Rockaway Beach and boardwalk can be reached by the or trains and the Q22, Q35, Q52 SBS and Q53 SBS bus.
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Special note: On summer weekends between 9am and 9pm, trains are extended to Rockaway Blvd and offer transfers to/from all trains. Extended trains also run with more cars.
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Rockaway Beach and boardwalk east end (near Beach 19th Street) is a short walk from the Q22, Q113 and Q114 bus.
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Jacob Riis Park can be reached by the Q22 and Q35 bus.
Staten Island
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Cedar Grove Beach is a short walk from the S76 bus stop at Ebbits St/Roma Ave.
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Midland Beach is a short walk from the S51 bus.
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South Beach is a short walk from the S51 and S52 bus.
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Wolfe’s Pond Beach is about one-half mile from the S55, S56, S59 and S78 bus.
Getting to Westchester County Beaches
Croton Point Park
Croton Point Park located in is a 10-minute walk from Metro-North's Croton-Harmon Station on the Hudson Line. Customers should use the Veterans Plaza exit for closest access point.
Rye Playland Beach
Rye Playland Beach shares property with the popular Playland Park in Rye, New York. Metro-North customers can take the New Haven Line to Rye Station where the No. 75 bus to Playland will meet specific trains throughout the day.
Click here for more information about Metro-North schedules.
More Railroad Summer Incentives
Between Saturday, July 3 and Saturday August 28, LIRR and Metro-North will honor all monthly tickets for travel to and from all LIRR and Metro-North stations, regardless of what stations are printed on the ticket. Monthly ticketholders traveling on these days will be able to bring up to four additional travelers for only $1 per person each way.
On weekends, the “Cannonball” Hamptons Express train departs from Penn Station at 4:06 p.m. For more information on this service, visit this MTA webpage.
Off-peak fares remain in effect on all trains, including during traditional peak travel times, until further notice. For more information about the LIRR summer schedule, visit this MTA webpage.
Other LIRR Discounted Beach Packages
Jones Beach
Customers may easily take the train to Freeport Station and walk downstairs for the n88 NICE Bus. The package includes:
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Roundtrip rail fare to and from Freeport Station
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Bus transportation to the East or West Bathhouses or Central Mall at Jones Beach
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$21.50 from NYC and Brooklyn, $18 from Jamaica
Long Beach
The Long Beach station is a short walk to the boardwalk and many local eateries.
The package includes:
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Roundtrip rail to and from Long Beach Station
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Discounted admission to the beach
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$26.75 from NYC and Brooklyn, $23.25 from Jamaica
Fire Island
To Bay Shore Station for Kismet, Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park
Take the train to Bay Shore Station and board a David Brothers Taxi to Fire Island Ferries. For ferry departure times call Fire Island Ferries (631) 665-3600 or visit fireislandferries.com
The package includes:
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Roundtrip rail fare to and from Bay Shore Station
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Roundtrip ferry voucher
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Roundtrip taxi voucher
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Kismet package includes Lighthouse admission
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$45.25 from NYC and Brooklyn, $44.75 from Jamaica, $26 for children ages 5-11
To Sayville Station for Cherry Gove, Fire Island Pines & Sunken Forest at Sailors’ Haven
For schedule of ferry departure times call Sayville Ferry Service (631) 589-0810 or visit: www.sayvilleferry.com.
The package includes:
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Roundtrip rail fare to and from Sayville Station
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Roundtrip ferry voucher
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Roundtrip taxi voucher
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$42.25 from NYC and Brooklyn, $39.75 from Jamaica
To Patchogue Station for Davis Park and Watch Hill
For schedule of ferry departure times for both Davis Park and Watch Hill call the Davis Park Ferry Co. (631) 475-1665 or visit: www.davisparkferry.com.
The package includes:
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Roundtrip rail fare to and from Patchogue Station
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Roundtrip ferry voucher
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Roundtrip taxi voucher
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$42.50 from NYC and Brooklyn, $42 from Jamaica, $25 for children ages 5-11
For more information about discount rail and admission packages, visit https://new.mta.info/daytrips
More About the #TakeTheTrain, #TakeTheBus Campaign
Today's announcement is part of the MTA’s #TakeTheTrain, #TakeTheBus campaign which launched on May 16 in conjunction with 24/7 subway service resuming for the first time since May 6, 2020, to encourage New Yorkers to return to a more reliable, cleaner system than the one many last used before the pandemic arrived in New York.
The launch of the campaign coincides with recent ridership increases in the system, with more than 2.5 million daily weekday riders on subways over the past few weeks and weekday bus ridership reaching 1.2 million. Recent combined Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road ridership of 220,000 is dwarfing the combined average of 23,000 of a year ago.