NYC Adds Summer Beach Trains Starting June 21
MTA adds hourly LIRR trains to beach routes and expands Metro-North service on Saturdays June 21-Sept. 6
LIRR Adds Hourly Trains on Beach Routes June 21
Weekend travelers heading to Long Island beaches will get more frequent train service starting June 21, when the MTA launches its annual Summer Saturdays program. The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will run enhanced Saturday schedules through Sept. 6, transit officials said Tuesday. Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO, said ridership increases during summer months and the agency's committed to providing service customers need. The LIRR will run hourly trains on its Babylon and Long Beach branches, which serve popular beach destinations.
Background
The MTA has offered Summer Saturdays service in previous years as a seasonal adjustment to match increased weekend demand. Transit agencies commonly modify schedules based on seasonal travel patterns, with summer bringing more leisure trips to beaches, parks, and family destinations. The enhanced service runs for 12 weeks during peak summer travel season. Officials didn't disclose the cost of implementing the additional service or provide specific ridership projections, though they noted weekend travel typically increases during warmer months.
Service Details
The LIRR will increase frequencies on five branches: Babylon, Long Beach, Montauk, Port Jefferson, and Ronkonkoma. Metro-North will add service on its Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines, plus the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines. Rob Free, LIRR President, said the enhanced service makes it easier for customers heading to beaches, visiting family, or exploring Long Island. Catherine Rinaldi, Metro-North President, said the increased service gives customers more options to explore the Hudson Valley and Connecticut. Specific train counts and detailed frequency information weren't available by publication time.
Timeline
The Summer Saturdays service begins June 21 and runs every Saturday through Labor Day weekend, ending Sept. 6. The MTA announced the program Tuesday in a press release. Officials said detailed schedule information will be available closer to the June 21 start date, though they didn't specify exactly when riders can expect to see complete timetables.
Rider Impact
The enhanced Saturday service aims to provide better access to beaches, parks, and popular summer destinations across the region. Riders planning weekend trips should expect more frequent service on key routes, particularly those serving beach communities and recreational areas. Moovit provides real-time schedule updates for LIRR and Metro-North routes throughout the summer season.
