Enhanced East End LIRR Service Offered On Summer Fridays

EAST END, NY — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority joined local officials on Friday to announce enhanced summer Friday South Fork Commuter Connection service.

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

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

Before the LIRR redesigned schedules for the opening of Grand Central Madison, those Friday trains would have been suspended from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Now, they will operate year-round.

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

Added Thiele: “I am thrilled that the Long Island Rail Road 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 on the SFCC has continued to grow, the commuter service has become a vital link for many local businesses and their employees, Thiele said.

"However, commuters must know that they can rely on continuous service five days a week to get to and from work. Lack of Friday service in the summer was a major inconvenience for loyal SFCC commuters and an impediment to the SFCC reaching its full potential. The SFCC makes our economy stronger and gives residents an alternative to long delays in the 'trade parade' 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 booming.

“It is 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 it will also help local businesses and travelers looking to spend a long weekend in Suffolk County.”

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

“This expanded service will help to reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions, and make the South Fork more easily accessible for visitors and workers—a win, win for the region," he said.

"As a strong advocate for public transportation in Suffolk County, I am thrilled that the enhanced summer Friday schedule for the South Fork Commuter Connection will continue to accommodate workers on the East End, offering alternatives to automobiles here on the South Fork and reducing traffic congestion and harmful greenhouse gas emissions, trends that are on the rise due to growing vehicular traffic,” said Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

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

Commuters using the service can park in the morning at Speonk, Westhampton, or Hampton Bays, then ride the train across the Shinnecock Canal to Southampton, Bridgehampton, Amagansett, or Montauk. At those stations, shuttle buses will bring riders to and from nearby villages, hamlets and employment centers.

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

Morning shuttle buses connect with the 6 a.m. train from Speonk and 8:26 a.m. train from Hampton Bays. Shuttle schedules and routes are flexible and subject to change based on demand, time of the year and traffic conditions.

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

Bikes are allowed on all SFCC trains that only operate between Speonk and Montauk.
On trains that operate to or from Babylon or points west, regular bike rules apply.

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

Those riding 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 in the "MTA Away Deals" menu on the machine. These tickets cannot be bought 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 not cheaper than using the special ticket for each ride.