For your information, the MTA Long Island Rail Road has new timetables that are now in effect. They include schedule adjustments to reduce or eliminate service gaps on certain AM and PM peak trains. Two off-peak and weekend track work programs will also begin on the main line and Montauk branch.

Brooklyn Service

The evening operating time of trains from Flatbush Avenue will be reduced by up to five minutes due to the completion of various projects between Jamaica and Brooklyn.

Montauk Branch

A track work program to install new concrete ties, surface track and eliminate joints for a smoother ride, will take place between Babylon and Sayville weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Three eastbound and three westbound trains will be canceled or combined and replaced by buses. Travel time will increase by up to 40 minutes. No bicycles will be allowed on buses. The project will continue until mid-November.

Main Line

A project to replace switches and waterproof the rail bridge at Carle Place has begun on the weekends. One of two tracks between Carle Place and Hicksville are taken out of service for the work. Train schedules are adjusted up to 34 minutes on the Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson and Oyster Bay branches, as well as on connections at Jamaica for Far Rockaway, Hempstead, West Hempstead and Long Beach branch trains. Babylon branch service at Lynbrook is also adjusted approximately 30 minutes.

Main Line East of Ronkonkoma

Midday service on the main line between Ronkonkoma and Greenport will be affected by track work now through Nov. 12. While the track tie renewal work is being performed, buses will be substituted for two eastbound and two westbound trains weekdays. Also during this time, grade crossing renewals will take place at six crossings in Riverhead.

Far Rockaway Branch

The 6:40 a.m. train from Far Rockaway to Penn Station (7:41 a.m.) will make a Valley Stream stop at 7:01 a.m. The 8:03 a.m. train from Valley Stream to Penn Station (8:41 a.m.) will include a Woodside stop. The 5:12 p.m. train from Flatbush Avenue to Far Rockaway (6:06 p.m.) will now make stops at Locust Manor and Laurelton.

Customers can now pick up copies of the new timetables dated Sept. 13, at their station or terminal. For complete travel information, customers can contact the LIRR's 24 hour Travel Information Center in Suffolk County at 231-LIRR, in Nassau County at 822-LIRR or in New York City at (718)-217-LIRR. The LIRR's TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is (718)-558-3022.

Also, to inform customers about this timetable change, the MTA Long Island Rail Road will provide on-seat information, public address system and on-board announcements and station posters and fliers. A press release will be distributed to the media, and a message will be recorded for the 24-hour teletrip system.

Thomas F. Prendergast

President

MTA LIRR