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June 24, 2021

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Covid | Lirr

Get your COVID-19 vaccine for free in subway and train stations

Visit a vaccination pop-up stop, extended through June 26, to get your single-dose vaccine and free MetroCard or train ticket. Just drop in, no appointment needed. Here’s the schedule and what to expect.

We’ve partnered with the New York State Department of Health and SOMOS, Northwell Health, and Westchester Medical Center to launch vaccination pop-up stops inside key subway and train hubs. Through Saturday, June 26, our partners will be giving out the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, to those 18 years and older.

We’ll be giving out free rides.

You don’t need an appointment, and it’s quick to get your shot and be on your way.

Where we’ll be

We’re extending our pop-up vaccination stop program at Grand Central and Penn Station through Saturday, June 26. Here’s the full schedule of where we’ll be and when. Once you’re at the station follow the blue and red signs directing you to the pop-up spot.

Penn Station

When: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Where: LIRR, 34th Street Corridor, closest to entrance at 34th St and 7th Ave.

 

Grand Central Terminal

When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily

Where: Metro-North Terminal, inside Vanderbilt Hall.

Free rides with your vaccine

If you get your vaccine at a Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North Railroad station, you’ll get two one-way Commuter Rail Tickets or a free 7-day Unlimited MetroCard.

This MetroCard doesn’t activate until you swipe the first time, so you can save it and use it later if you’d like. Learn more here.

What to expect

1. Stop by the station You don’t need to make an appointment. Visit any of our pop-up sites at the times and locations listed above.

2. Check in You’ll check in with the team on site and show your ID (this may include a government-issued ID, like an IDNYC, driver’s license, passport, Permanent resident card, Certificate of Naturalization). If you have any questions or concerns, our partners will be there to help answer them. You can read more about the vaccine here. Team members will be there to help translate or connect you with translation services.

3. Get your vaccine  You’ll meet with the nurse or doctor who can answer any other questions you have. Then, they’ll give you your shot.

4. Wait 15 minutes To make sure you’re ok, you’ll be asked by the medical team to wait 15 minutes.

5. Pick up your CDC vaccination card, free MetroCard or train ticket and Go. No second dose needed!

June 26-27 & July 10-11: Willis Avenue Grade Crossing Elimination Project Alters Weekend Schedules

No Train Service Between Hicksville and Jamaica
Long Island Rail Road

Service Change Overview

Special weekend timetables will be in effect for all branches on the weekends of June 26-27 and July 10-11 as we eliminate the Willis Avenue grade crossing in Mineola as part of the LIRR Expansion Project.

To allow this work to proceed, LIRR will suspend Main Line train service between Hicksville and Jamaica. Key service impacts and alternatives follow, and a map depicting the service changes appears at the bottom of this page:

Huntington/Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma Branch service changes

Westbound train service terminates at Hicksville. Transfer to a diesel shuttle train stopping at Bethpage and Babylon, where electric train service will resume.

For eastbound customers, reverse the process by traveling to Babylon, then board a diesel shuttle train stopping at Bethpage and Hicksville, where electric train service will resume. Please allow up to 60 minutes of additional travel time.

New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place, and Westbury Stations: There will be no train service at these stations. As an alternative, use the Hempstead Branch, where weekend service will be increased from hourly to half-hourly, or NICE Bus service.

LIRR tickets will be cross-honored on the N22/24 bus routes for service between Hicksville and Mineola, and the N40/N41 bus routes for service between Mineola and Hempstead. See nicebus.com for schedules.

Note: Between midnight and 5 a.m., the LIRR Expansion Project team will provide shuttle buses stopping at Mineola and Hicksville as an alternative for customers at these two Main Line stations when NICE Bus service is unavailable.

Bethpage Station: Bethpage Station will be served solely by a diesel-powered shuttle train with bi-level cars that will operate between Hicksville, Bethpage, and Babylon. Electric trains will not stop at Bethpage Station.

Westbound customers should wait on the eastbound platform (Track 2, Platform B), and board a shuttle train to Babylon. At Babylon, transfer to westbound express trains to Penn Station that make limited stops, including Jamaica.

Eastbound customers should wait on the westbound platform (Track 1, Platform A), and board a shuttle train to Hicksville. At Hicksville, transfer to an eastbound electric train for service to stations from Farmingdale to Ronkonkoma. Please plan ahead and allow additional time to safely cross the Stewart Avenue grade crossing when getting to and from the opposite station platform.

Oyster Bay Branch Service Changes

Service will operate every two hours. All trains originate and terminate at East Williston Station. Take free LIRR shuttle buses between East Williston, Mineola, and Hempstead, where train service will be available every half hour, or use the Port Washington Branch. Due to a separate track work program, Port Washington Branch service will operate on an hourly basis on these weekends.

Some Oyster Bay Branch service changes will begin Friday evening (after the evening rush hour). Please check the special timetable to learn if this may affect your travel plans.

Hempstead Branch Service Changes

Service on the Hempstead Branch will be increased from hourly to half-hourly to help accommodate affected customers.

 

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