How New LIRR Service Impacts South Fork Commuter Connection

SOUTH FORK, NY — The official launch of Long Island Rail Road service to Madison Grand Central also means improved service on the South Fork, Southampton Town officials said.

Several changes have been announced to the South Fork, or Montauk Line, train schedule. The changes will take effect on Monday, Feb.27 and will impact the South Fork Commuter Connection, officials said.

"The South Fork Commuter Connection is a one-of-a-kind intermodal service. Dedicated shuttle buses connect with select trains at the LIRR stations east of the Shinnecock Canal, bringing riders to and from employment and population centers," Southampton Town said.

Three of the four South Fork Commuter Connection train and shuttle bus trips will be impacted:

• The first eastbound morning trip will now depart Speonk at 6 a.m. rather than 6:16 a.m., and will operate along the line 16 minutes earlier than it has previously. The shuttle service schedules from stations east of the canal have been adjusted to operate earlier in conjunction with the train. The change will benefit current and potential riders who have found the previous arrival times too close to their start of work schedules, the town said.
• The first afternoon westbound trip will now leave the stations east of the Shinnecock Canal two minutes later than the previous schedule. (Shuttle bus schedules have been adjusted to this later departure.) This will allow those leaving work to catch the train west in the afternoon an extra two minutes "breathing room," officials said. The return trip will also now arrive 9 minutes earlier in Westhampton, and 14 minutes earlier in Speonk, than under the previous schedule.
• The second late afternoon westbound return train has one very significant change: This train will now offer return service all the way to Speonk. Providing service to Speonk on this trip has been requested by many current and potential riders, town officials said.

The flyer shown details all changes made to all the train trips shown on the schedule, including both the SFCC and non SFCC trips. The SFCC linked shuttle bus time changes are also shown on the accompanying shuttle schedule.