Railroad Partnering with Discover LI and Lifeguards in #TakeTheTrain Campaign
‘Cannonball’ Hamptons Express Service Begins Running Friday, May 28
View Photos from News Conference
MTA Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng was joined by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, tourism officials and lifeguards to celebrate the return of beach season and expanded LIRR summer service.
The group gathered in Long Beach, near the surf and the sand, to welcome beachgoers and encourage them to travel conveniently and reliably by train. Long Beach is open on weekends beginning May 29 and daily beginning June 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beach passes are required. LIRR Discounted Beach Packages will be offered beginning July 1.
Beaches will operate with six-foot social distancing in anticipation of Memorial Day with a goal to reopen to 100% capacity by July 4, as announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on May 12.
The partnership announcement 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.
"Summertime is here and LIRR summer service is back,” said LIRR President Phillip Eng. “Ditch the car and the traffic and ride with us to get to the beaches, parks, wineries, breweries, and all of the great outdoor activities our beautiful Island has to offer. The LIRR is safer and cleaner than ever -- and we're proud to serve all our communities across Long Island as we support the great New York comeback for our local businesses, restaurants and downtowns."
“Public transit is a driving force of our regional economy and is key to kickstarting our post-pandemic recovery,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “The Long Island Rail Road is not just a way for commuters to get to work but also passage for residents and visitors alike to visit our walkable downtowns, shops, world class restaurants and breathtaking beaches. I am excited that LIRR will be offering additional service this summer -- enticing people to take the train to enjoy all Nassau County and the region have to offer.”
“After the past year, we couldn't be more excited to welcome both residents and visitors back to our beaches," said Joe Brand, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of Long Beach. "Our beaches provide leisure recreation enjoyment to tens of thousands of people each year while also fueling our local economy. We're pleased to be getting back to normal beach business and look forward to a summer that welcomes guests from both near and far."
“Long Island’s beaches are the place to be this summer with expected record breaking crowds resulting from a year of pent up travel demand,” said Discover Long Island President & CEO, Kristen Reynolds. “The LIRR’s increased service as well as streamlined transportation packages make it easier and safer than ever for beachgoers to avoid the traffic and Take The Train.”
LIRR weekday ridership reached a pandemic record of 104,885 last Friday as the region reopens, and has posted new timetables for summer service beginning May 24.
The railroad will provide additional service to Long Beach, Freeport, Montauk and Greenport. On weekends, Long Beach will have one additional eastbound and one additional westbound train. There will be three additional eastbound and three additional westbound trains for travel to and from Freeport Station, the closest station to Jones Beach. Note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, Jones Beach will be limited to 50% capacity for the Bethpage Air Show.
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.
On the weekends, beginning Friday, May 28, the “Cannonball” Hamptons Express train returns and will depart from Penn Station at 4:06 p.m. For more information on this service, visit this MTA webpage.
Discounted Beach Packages
Long Beach
The Long Beach station is a short walk to the boardwalk and many local eateries.
The package includes:
- Roundtrip rail to and from Long Beach Station
- Discounted admission to the beach
- $26.75 from NYC and Brooklyn, $23.25 from Jamaica
Jones Beach
Take the train to Freeport Station and walk downstairs for the n88 NICE Bus to take you to the most renowned of all Long Island State Parks.
The package includes:
- Roundtrip rail fare to and from Freeport Station
- Bus transportation to the East or West Bathhouses or Central Mall at Jones Beach
- $21.50 from NYC and Brooklyn, $18 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:
- Roundtrip rail fare to and from Bay Shore Station
- Roundtrip ferry voucher
- Roundtrip taxi voucher
- Kismet package includes Lighthouse admission
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:
- Roundtrip rail fare to and from Sayville Station
- Roundtrip ferry voucher
- Roundtrip taxi voucher
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:
- Roundtrip rail fare to and from Patchogue Station
- Roundtrip ferry voucher
- Roundtrip taxi voucher
For more information about discount rail and admission packages, visit https://new.mta.info/daytrips
More About Discover Long Island
Discover Long Island is the region’s official destination marketing and leadership organization charged with furthering the destination’s thriving visitor economy, which saw record-breaking highs in 2019 generating $6.3 billion in visitor spending. The organization ensures Long Island’s coveted quality of life, thriving industries, and dynamic destination offerings are promoted on a global level, furthering economic development and spurring visitation to this world-class destination. For more information, please call 631-951-3900 or visit DiscoverLongIsland.com.
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 two 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 160,000 is dwarfing the combined average of 23,000 of a year ago, with weekend ridership now approaching 50% of pre-pandemic weekend levels.