Update 9:15 p.m.- The LIRR has confirmed it will run trains on the Ronkonkoma Branch Thursday morning.
Here's the statement on the MTA's website:
Limited hourly service on the Ronkonkoma Branch starts Thursday, 11/1, with the 5:37AM train from Ronkonkoma to Penn being the first w/b train and the 7:09AM train from Penn to Ronkonkoma being the first e/b train. These trains are scheduled to stop at Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park, Wyandanch, Farmingdale, Bethpage, Hicksville and Jamaica. Due to the expected high volume of customers traveling, customers are advised to delay their departure times throughout the day to ease overcrowding.
No fares will be charged on the LIRR through Friday under a transportation emergency declared by Gov. Cuomo Wednesday night. Services remains suspended on all other branches besides service from Great Neck on the Port Washington Branch.
Original story:
The Long Island Rail Road is hoping to restore service on the Ronkonkoma Branch for the Thursday morning rush hour commute.
The LIRR started limited service Wednesday afternoon and is now running trains hourly between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn and Jamaica and Penn Station.
All other LIRR service remains suspended following the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, but MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota told WCBS 880 Wednesday evening that more trains will hit the tracks Thursday.
“We will be having service into Penn Station on the Main Line, the Ronkonkoma Line, we are also have service continuing from Brooklyn to Jamaica as well. And finally, on the Port Washington Line, we’re going to have service from Great Neck into Penn Station,” Lhota told WCBS.
Off-peak fares will be in effect on the LIRR until full service is restored. Current monthly and weekly tickets will remain valid for travel through Monday, Nov. 5.
Subway service in the city will also begin to ramp back up Thursday, but on a limited basis. Be sure to check the MTA's website for the latest before heading to the station Thursday morning.
