PRESS RELEASE
August 26, 2019
Contact: Connie Conway
(631) 702-1743
Beginning September 03, 2019 the second afternoon westbound South Fork Commuter Connection train will now go to Westhampton. The added Westhampton stop follows requests by riders and the urging of State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman and East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc.
This change allows early morning commuters to board the train in Westhampton, rather than Hampton Bays, thereby avoiding some of the morning eastbound commuter traffic. Before this change these riders had to board in Hampton Bays because the later return train ended its westbound trip in Hampton Bays.
The new schedule alters the original afternoon westbound train schedule departure times by two minutes. For example, the departure time in Montauk, heading westbound that was 4:50pm, will now depart at 4:52pm. The departure time for Bridgehampton, which was 5:23pm will now depart at 5:25pm. The train will now end in Westhampton at 6:01pm. That trip used to end in Hampton Bays at 5:43 but many riders complained they wanted the train to continue to at least Westhampton to help them get closer to home.
New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. stated, “I am pleased that we have been able to address the needs of commuters and improve their experience with the South Fork Commuter Connection by adding an evening stop in Westhampton. We are also continuing to work with the Long Island Rail Road to provide needed infrastructure, such as sidings, so that commuters will be able to enjoy more frequent and convenient service in the future. I thank the towns and the LIRR for their ongoing commitment to this critical transportation service.”
“We listened to what riders wanted and we were able to accommodate this added stop,” said Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. “We are still working with the railroad to make other changes to improve the system in the future.”
The South Fork Commuter Connection also resumes Friday service beginning September 6, 2019. For more information on the train schedule and South Fork Commuter Connection, please go to www.sfcclirr.com or the Town’s website at www.southamptontownny.gov
