No Weekend Train Service From New Hyde Park To Hicksville: MTA

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — Heads up train riders — there will be no rail service this weekend between New Hyde Park and Hicksville as transit workers replace a grade crossing with a newly built bridge.

The MTA announced Tuesday that it would be performing the work Saturday and Sunday at Covert Avenue in New Hyde Park. The new bridge will hold three tracks and a two-lane grade-separated underpass, as well as a pedestrian sidewalk.

"Please plan ahead," the MTA warned.

This wknd, 8/24-25, train service will be suspended btwn Hicksville & New Hyde Pk as we eliminate the Covert Ave grade X-ing. We recommend avoiding the Ronkonkoma, Huntington/Port Jefferson and Oyster Bay Branches this Saturday & Sunday.
— LIRR (@LIRR) August 20, 2019

Special weekend timetables will be in effect for all Long Island Rail Road branches over the weekend, the MTA added.

Here are the details:

Port Jefferson Branch:

• Port Jefferson-Huntington: Two-hour service intervals
• Huntington-Hicksville: Hourly service intervals
• New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Carle Place, Westbury Stations: No train service
• Mineola Station: Train service to/from Oyster Bay only

Ronkonkoma Branch

• Ronkonkoma-Hicksville: Hourly service intervals
• Bethpage Station: Service provided by shuttle trains between Babylon and Hicksville

Oyster Bay Branch

• Two-hour service intervals between Oyster Bay and Mineola only; transfer to/from buses for Hempstead

Hempstead Branch

• Service increased from hourly to half-hourly intervals, alternating between Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal

All Other Branches

• Adjusted schedules due to changes in connecting service

Service Patterns

Oyster Bay Branch:

Trains will operate between Oyster Bay and Mineola only.

• Eastbound: Transfer to a free shuttle bus at Hempstead for service to Mineola, where connecting Oyster Bay trains will run every two hours.
• Westbound: Transfer to NICE buses (N40/N41) at Mineola (LIRR tickets will be cross-honored) for service to Hempstead, and resume train service at Hempstead for points west. Hempstead Branch service will be increased from hourly to half-hourly. Visit nicebus.com for schedules.

Sunday morning only, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., buses replace trains between Locust Valley and Oyster Bay for the Runner’s Edge TOBAY Triathlon.
Port Jefferson/Ronkonkoma Branches:

• Westbound: Trains will operate from Port Jefferson and Huntington to Hicksville, and from Ronkonkoma to Hicksville. Connect to a shuttle train to Babylon, then transfer to an express train to Penn Station. Express trains will stop at Jamaica for connections to Brooklyn and points west.
• Eastbound: Board a train to Babylon, transfer to a shuttle train to Hicksville, and transfer again for train service to points east, including Huntington, Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma.
• Bethpage Station: All service to and from Bethpage Station will be provided by the shuttle trains between Babylon and Hicksville. The shuttle will be a diesel train with bi-level cars. Electric trains will not stop at Bethpage Station.

Alternate Stations & Weekend

Parking Availability
Oyster Bay Branch
To reduce additional travel time and transfers, consider traveling via nearby stations on the Port Washington Branch:

• Port Washington: Approximately 1,000 spaces (no restrictions on weekends/holidays)
• Manhasset: Approximately 650 spaces ($10 daily fee without Manhasset Park District (MPD) permit)
• Douglaston: Approximately 120 spaces ($7.50 daily fee)
• Little Neck: Approximately 110 spaces ($7.50 daily fee)

Port Jefferson/Ronkonkoma Branches
To reduce additional travel time and transfers, consider traveling via the Hempstead, Babylon or Montauk branches. Key stations to consider for weekend parking include:

• Floral Park: No restrictions on weekends/holidays for the approximately 110 spaces under the viaduct, and the approximately 120 spaces available in the lot on the south side of station, east of Carnation Avenue. All other parking at this station requires permits and/or fees on weekends/holidays. Note: No parking between 3 AM and 5 AM, daily.
• Stewart Manor: Approximately 150 spaces (Village of Garden City permit required)
• Nassau Boulevard: Approximately 200 spaces (Village of Garden City permit required)
• Hempstead: Approximately 700 spaces (Village of Hempstead Resident or Non-Resident permit or fee required) (Parking rate: 50 cents/hour)
• Hicksville: Approximately 2,500 spaces (no restrictions on weekends/holidays)
• Freeport: Approximately 1,600 spaces (no restrictions on weekends/holidays)
• Merrick: Approximately 1,600 spaces (no restrictions on weekends/holidays)