LIRR Overhauls Schedules Across All Lines Starting Nov. 9

The Long Island Rail Road will alter schedules on every line beginning Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced the changes to accommodate track maintenance and station upgrades. Commute services during peak hours remain unchanged, but midday and weekend trains will see adjustments. Some departures move earlier, while others add stops or restore previous frequencies.

On the Hempstead Line, the 6:34 a.m. train from Westbury to Penn Station will no longer stop at Elmont-UBS Arena. Riders using that station must find alternate routes for early morning travel to Manhattan. The Montauk Line sees a shift in the 5:47 a.m. departure from Speonk. That train will now leave Hampton Bays at 5:30 a.m. and run to Long Island City, providing a new morning option for residents of Hampton Bays and Westhampton. The Port Jefferson Line adds a local train from Hicksville at 4:33 p.m. to increase capacity for weekend travelers. The return trip from Penn Station will depart at 10:02 p.m.

The Ronkonkoma Line adjusts the 6:27 a.m. Grand Central departure to an earlier time. Passengers must check specific times to avoid missing connections. The Greenport Line resumes midday weekday service east of Ronkonkoma on Nov. 23. In the City Terminal Zone, the 7:18 p.m. train from Grand Central to Long Beach leaves one minute early and stops at Kew Gardens. The Brooklyn service between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal returns to its normal frequency of one train every 20 minutes during midday.

The Babylon Line undergoes the most complex changes. Weekend service resumes standard patterns on Nov. 14 following station reconstruction work. Direct service from stations east of Massapequa to Grand Central returns. Two local trains per hour will run between Manhattan and Babylon, splitting destinations between Penn Station and Grand Central. Express trains between Babylon and Penn Station will only stop at Jamaica, Freeport, and Babylon to facilitate Montauk Line connections.

A special weekday midday schedule remains in effect from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20 due to track work between Amityville and Lindenhurst. The new permanent weekday midday schedule takes effect on Nov. 23. The MTA stated these changes aim to restore the line’s pre-construction operating pattern. The authority noted that maintenance work requires worker access to tracks and station sectors, which necessitates scheduling tasks outside peak demand hours. The projects also include accessibility improvements for passengers with disabilities and infrastructure upgrades to extend the system's lifespan.

Riders are advised to verify itineraries before traveling, particularly for midday trips or connections between branches. The LIRR operates the highest passenger volume in North America, requiring regular interventions to maintain reliability. The MTA recommends checking official channels and the LIRR website for updated departure times. Specific start dates vary, with some changes effective Nov. 9, others Nov. 14, and the full schedule complete by Nov. 23.