The MTA Long Island Rail Road is providing nineteen extra trains, nine westbound and ten eastbound, for those traveling to and from the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 17. The additional trains will supplement the LIRR’s regular weekend schedule.

In an effort to maintain orderly travel for our customers on St. Patrick’s Day, the LIRR advises customers not bring any alcoholic beverages, open or closed, on trains, platforms and stations on March 17, continuing through 4 AM on March 18. Any alcoholic beverages will be confiscated by MTA Police. LIRR bar carts will not be in operation this day.

LIRR customers are reminded to purchase round trip tickets including MetroCards for connecting subway and bus service in advance in order to save time and avoid lines at LIRR and New York City Transit ticket windows and ticket machines.

Since the Parade is on a Saturday, off-peak fares are in effect all day â?” including the special Family Fare discount and CityTicket. Under the Family Fare program, up to four children, ages 5-11, can ride trains that day for the advance purchase fare of 75 cents each (one-way) when accompanied by a fare-paying parent or guardian. Current weekly and monthly ticket holders just pay for the kids. Children under five ride free. The special weekend CityTicket is also available â?” just $3.75 (one way) for travel within New York City on LIRR trains on Saturdays/Sundays. The CityTicket must be purchased at ticket windows or ticket machines located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens; it cannot be bought on board trains. (CityTicket is not valid at Far Rockaway Station.)

LIRR ticket windows at suburban stations and western terminals sell $4.50 MetroCards with round-trip LIRR rail tickets, as well as separate $4.50 and $20.00 MetroCards. LIRR full-service ticket machines systemwide sell $4.50 MetroCards with round-trip LIRR rail tickets, as well as a separate $20.00 MetroCard; and LIRR red, daily ticket machines only sell $20 MetroCards.

Following are the additional trains:

Westbound to Penn Station

Babylon Branch
Two trains leave Wantagh at 8:54 AM and 9:54 AM, making all local stops through Lynbrook, then St. Albans, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills and Penn Station.
10:29 AM from Wantagh making all local stops through Lynbrook, then Jamaica and Penn Station.

Ronkonkoma Branch
Three trains leave Ronkonkoma at 7:09 AM, 8:09 AM and 9:09 AM, making all local stops to Mineola, then New Hyde Park, Jamaica, Woodside and Penn Station.

Port Washington Branch
Three trains leave Port Washington at 10:10 AM 11:10 AM and 12:10 PM, making all local stops to Flushing-Main St., then Woodside and Penn Station.
Eastbound from Penn Station

Babylon Branch
Three trains depart Penn Station at 2:28 PM, 2:55 PM and 3:55 PM, stopping at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, and Lynbrook, then all local stops to Babylon.

Port Washington Branch
Three trains depart Penn Station at 3:36 PM, 4:36 PM and 5:36 PM, stopping at Woodside, Flushing-Main St., then all local stops to Port Washington.

Ronkonkoma Branch
Four trains depart Penn Station at 2:48 PM, 3:48 PM, 4:48 PM, 5:48 PM stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, then all local stops to Ronkonkoma.