Long Island, NY - November 25, 2015 - To meet growing demand for train service to Brooklyn to see the New York Islanders play at their new home, MTA Long Island Rail Road today announced it is adding to its lineup of trains to Atlantic Terminal and Barclays Center on Islanders’ game days.
Beginning Monday, November 30, there will be three extra trains in service for Islanders games, rather than two as has been the case since the team opened at home on October 9. Because these extra trains are not listed in the regular branch timetables and the starting time for Islanders’ games vary, LIRR customers should here for the full schedule of trains operating on a particular game day.
LIRR ridership to Brooklyn has more than tripled since the Barclay Center opened for business in 2013. The Islanders’ move to Barclays this year is adding to that and along with the legions of hockey fans riding the rails are Islanders’ team members themselves with defenseman Johnny Boychuk, center John Tavares and right winger Kyle Okposo among the players spotted making the commute to the LIRR’s Atlantic Terminal located right across the street from the new arena.
Islanders on Weekdays - Extra Post-Game Service
On weekdays, the LIRR is adding a third post-game eastbound train to better handle the rush of fans leaving Barclays. Please note that schedules on eastbound post-game trains are subject to the event's end time, with the first departure leaving approximately 20 minutes after the end of the event.
Two of the extra trains will be Babylon-bound, leaving from Atlantic Terminal and stopping at Jamaica and Rockville Centre, then making all stops to Babylon. The third train will serve the Ronkonkoma Branch, stopping at Jamaica and New Hyde Park, then making all stops to Farmingdale. Fans can change at Jamaica for connections to other LIRR branches.
Islanders on Weekends & Holidays – Extra Pre-Game & Post-Game Service
For Islanders’ games scheduled on weekends and holidays, the LIRR is adding a third pre-game westbound train and a third post-game eastbound train to its regular Brooklyn schedule.
Westbound – Extra Pre-Game Service
Two westbound trains will originate at Babylon, making all stops to Rockville Centre, then stopping at Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal. One train will originate at Farmingdale making all stops to New Hyde Park, then stopping at Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal. Trains will be timed to arrive roughly 30-50 minutes before the puck drops so fans will have plenty of time to get to their seats. For example, for a 7 p.m. game, the Babylon Branch train would depart Babylon at 4:53 p.m. and arrive at Atlantic Terminal at 6:10 p.m. The Farmingdale train would depart at 5:34 p.m. arriving at Atlantic Terminal at 6:32 p.m.
Eastbound – Extra Post-Game Service
Two trains to Babylon, departing Atlantic Terminal beginning at 20 minutes after the end of the game stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then making all stops to Babylon. Jamaica, then Atlantic Terminal. The train to Farmingdale will stop at Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then make all stops to Farmingdale.
For More Information
“Your Sport. Your Team. Your LIRR.” That’s the message the LIRR is promoting. New York is sports, and mass transit is the best way to see your teams and players in action. Beat traffic, tolls, and parking headaches. So let the LIRR take you to the games. For more information go here; and remember, for a full schedule of trains operating on game day go online. Customers can also contact the LIRR’s Customer Service Center for help by calling 511, the New York State Travel Information Line, and saying: Long Island Rail Road. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, use your preferred relay service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the LIRR at 511.