Spring may have just arrived, but we can’t help already looking forward to the summer! And in a few months when the city is sweltering, you can rely on a flood of New Yorkers fleeing to their beloved summer destination: the Hamptons.
However, Hamptons-bound New Yorkers can ditch the jitney as the MTA Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi, Assembly Member Fred Thiele, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone recently announced supplemental service for the summer Friday South Fork Commuter Connection (SFCC).
The SFCC is a weekday train and shuttle bus that offers service between Speonk and Montauk. Service will begin starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Eastbound SFCC trains will leave Speonk as early as 6am on Fridays, stopping at Westhampton, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Amagansett. Westbound trains will leave Amagansett as early as 7:13am on Fridays, stopping at East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Southampton, and Hampton Bays.
The LIRR’s schedule redesign follows the recent opening of Grand Central Madison, the LIRR’s largest expansion since 1910.
“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, Interim President of the Long Island Rail Road and President of Metro-North Railroad. “Thanks to Assembly Member 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.”
So when the clock’s ticking on Friday, and work lets out blissfully early, the MTA will ensure you make it to your weekend destination with more options than ever before.
“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,” said Assembly Member Fred Thiele. “The SFCC makes our economy stronger and gives residents an alternative to long delays in the ‘Trade Parade’ on CR 39 and SR 27.”
Ticket fare for the SFCC costs $3.25 for one-way. They can be bought via TrainTime app or ticket machines at stations.
Read more from the MTA here.