Enhanced LIRR East End service offered on summer Fridays

EAST END, N.Y. — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority joined local officials Friday to announce improved South Fork Commuter Connection summer Friday service.

On Fridays, eastbound SFCC trains will depart Speonk at 6 a.m. with stops in Westhampton, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Amagansett, officials said. Another train leaves Hampton Bays at 8:26 AM. with stops in Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett and Montauk.

Westbound trains will depart Amagansett at 7:13 AM. with stops in East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Southampton and Hampton Bays. Another train leaves Montauk at 12:56 p.m. stopping in Amagansett, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Southampton, Hampton Bays, Westhampton and Speonk.

Before the LIRR rescheduled for Grand Central Madison's grand opening, those Friday trains would have been suspended from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Now, they will operate all year round.

“One of the major benefits of the largest service increase in LIRR history is that the number of new travel options available can get more Long Islanders out of their cars and onto trains,” said Catherine Rinaldi, interim president of the LIRR. Long Island Rail Road and Metro. -Chairman of the Northern Railroad. “Thanks to Assemblymember Fred Thiele, we were able to work together and create a program that adds extra service on summer Fridays, making it easier for East End businesses and entertainment districts to thrive.”

Added Thiele, “I am thrilled that the Long Island Railroad has agreed to provide summer Friday service for the South Fork Commuter Connection. This is another step forward in providing improved public transit options for our East End community.”

As ridership at SFCC has continued to grow, the shuttle service has become a vital link for many local businesses and their employees, Thiele said.

“However, commuters should know that they can count on continuous service five days a week to get to and from work. The lack of Friday service in the summer has been a major inconvenience to SFCC's loyal commuters and an obstacle for SFCC to capitalize on to its full potential. SFCC makes our economy stronger and gives residents an alternative to the long delays on County Road 39 and State Route 27,” he said.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said connectivity and accessibility are vital to keeping the East End economy thriving.

“It's no secret that during the summer months we see an increase in traffic and cars, making it more difficult to access our East End,” he said. “Adding additional LIRR service will not only help commuters, but also help local businesses and travelers looking to spend a long weekend in Suffolk County.”

Enhanced summer service for the South Fork Commuter Connection is an important part of Thiele's efforts to provide greater and more reliable mass transit options to the East End of Long Island, especially during the busy summer months, said New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo. .

“This expanded service will help reduce traffic congestion, reduce emissions and make the South Fork more accessible for visitors and workers – a win, win for the region,” he said.

“As a strong advocate for public transit in Suffolk County, I am excited that the enhanced South Fork Commuter Connection summer Friday schedule will continue to accommodate East End workers, providing alternatives to cars here on the South Fork and reducing traffic congestion and harmful greenhouse gas emissions, trends that are increasing due to increasing vehicle traffic,” said Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

The South Fork Commuter Connection is coordinated daily train and bus service on the East End of the Montauk Branch, between Speonk and Montauk.

Passengers using the service can park in the morning at Speonk, Westhampton or Hampton Bays and then take the Shinnecock Canal train to Southampton, Bridgehampton, Amagansett or Montauk. At these stations, buses will transport passengers to and from nearby villages, settlements and employment centers.

Van customers use the TrainTime app to view the train schedule and track their train in real time. SFCC trains are also listed on the Montauk Branch timetable.

Morning buses connect with the train at 06:00 from Speonk and at 08:26 from Hampton Bays. Bus routes and timetables are flexible and subject to change depending on demand, time of year and traffic conditions.

Free parking is available at most stations. Restrictions apply at Bridgehampton and East Hampton stations, which are operated by the Town of Southampton and the Village of East Hampton, respectively.

Bicycles are allowed on all SFCC trains running between Speonk and Montauk only.
Regular bicycle rules apply on trains running to or from Babylon or points west.

Regular LIRR tickets are valid on SFCC trains. The one-way fare is $3.25, with monthly fares costing $89 and weekly fares $30.75, tickets available for most riders.

Those traveling to or from Speonk can purchase a special South Fork Commuter Connection ticket from a gray ticket machine. A one-way ticket is $3.25 and a round-trip ticket is $6.50. They are valid for 60 days including the date of sale. These tickets are available under the “MTA Away Deals” menu on the machine. These tickets cannot be purchased on the TrainTime app or at stations east of Southampton. Without it, the regular one-way fare to or from Speonk is $6.50.

Monthly and weekly tickets from Speonk are more expensive than those from other stations and are no cheaper than using the special ticket for each journey.