New South Fork LIRR Service Coming Soon

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — It's a day many have been waiting for — new, enhanced Long Island Rail Road service on the South Fork.

Elected officials and community leaders came together Friday with LIRR representatives at the Hampton Bays LIRR station to announce the March 4 kickoff of a new system of LIRR trains, interconnecting with shuttle services, known as the South Fork Commuter Connection.

"The system is designed to provide a new commuting option on the South Fork, alleviate roadway congestion and stimulate the South Fork economy with an environmentally friendly transportation option," a release from the LIRR said.

Beginning on Monday, March 4, the LIRR will add six trains per day east of Speonk, three one-way trips in the mornings and three in the afternoon. Select trains will connect with shuttles at East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Southampton, Amagansett and Montauk that will transport customers to and from selected employment centers and workplaces, the LIRR said.

A joint fare covering trains and shuttles is set at $4.25 one way; tickets will be available at full-service ticket vending machines, where South Fork Commuter Connection ticket will be listed under “Deals & Getaways,” the LIRR said, adding that customers are encouraged to purchase a return trip ticket in advance.

Because the trains and connecting services are intended for those looking to travel on the South Fork, the trains will not connect with trains traveling to or from New York City, which makes them unique in the LIRR network, officials said.

The South Fork Commuter Connection is the culmination of more than a year of discussions between South Fork elected officials and community leaders and the LIRR that has already resulted in a number of service improvements on both the North and South Forks.

In April 2017, the LIRR added an early-morning “Fisherman’s Train”to the North Fork, and that November it expanded North Fork service with a new late-morning New York City-bound train. In May, 2018 the LIRR doubled seasonal North Fork weekend service and extended a morning rush hour train to Southampton, Hampton Bays and Westhampton that was enabled by the LIRR’s recent Montauk Branch signalization project.

“To anyone who’s ever been stuck in traffic on the South Fork I say, give the train a try and see if it can solve your travel needs," Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng said. "The connecting shuttles will greatly extend the reach of this service, bringing you one step closer to door-to-door service.”

New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele pointed out that the idea of a South Fork commuter service is something he has worked on since 1994, when he was a town supervisor.

"Over the years, there have been many attempts to execute this dream," Thiele said.

In 1996, an East End Transportation Council was created to develop solutions to the growing transportation problems on the East End. In 2005, local municipalities signed a memorandum of understanding to identify and improve traffic and transportation issues — it was the culmination of a four-year planning process known as Sustainable East End Development Strategies, or SEEDS, Thiele said.

Input was also provided by the Five Town Rural Transit, a local advocacy group formed to research the development of the "East End Shuttle" and explore the issue of public transportation, Thiele said

“Needless to say, it has been a long and winding road, and I am thrilled this idea has finally come to fruition. I thank the Long Island Rail Road for its commitment to establish the South Fork Commuter Connection and make this dream come true. I also thank East Hampton and Southampton Towns for their crucial participation in this project," he said.

The South Fork Commuter Connection will prove a boon in terms of reduced traffic congestion; a cleaner environment, getting more cars off the road; and a bolstered local economy, by making it easier for businesses to attract and retain employees, Thiele added. "This is a first step towards improved public transit on the South Fork. I look forward to building ridership and working on infrastructural improvements to sustain a more frequent and convenient service in the future," he said.

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman agreed that the South Fork Commuter Connection is the result of years of hard work by state representatives, including Thiele and New York State Senator Ken LaValle.

"They fought for the funding needed to bring the trains to the South Fork and help the Towns of Southampton and East Hampton fund the last mile with connecting bus service," Schneiderman said. "We know this alternative will give commuters a choice that will save time and make their commutes to work less stressful. Why spend an hour or more in traffic going from Hampton Bays to Southampton Village when the train ride is only 10 minutes?”

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone also applauded the kickoff: "This new connection represents an important innovation to our South Fork public transportation network that will help thousands of residents make that critical last-mile connection to employment centers and busy downtowns without the need for a personal automobile."

Patch photos courtesy Southampton Town.