The Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) new Elmon Station, the first new LIRR station in nearly 50 years, opens for passenger service Nov. 20, 2021.
The beginning of service will coincide with the New York Islanders' first home game at UBS Arena. The Elmont Station will initially offer eastbound service to the new home of the New York Islanders, UBS Arena, as well as nearby Belmont Park, which retains its own dedicated station.
"Nothing says New York is back like building bigger and better transportation infrastructure," said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. "Just in time for the Islanders' season opener, the start of service for the first new LIRR station in 50 years is the type of project that my administration will continue to pursue as we strive to make Long Island more accessible and give Long Islanders the quality public transportation they deserve."
Service at the station will increase next summer when the westbound platform opens. At that time, the station will begin full-time year-round service to the local community and will begin to provide westbound service to and from events at UBS Arena and Belmont Park.
Long Islanders who live east of Belmont on the Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma Branches will have a one-seat ride straight to events for the first time. This will reduce travel times and is expected to increase the number of event attendees who use public transportation, helping alleviate traffic congestion on Long Island.
When both platforms are complete, the new station will feature two 12-car high-level platforms with canopies, elevators that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a pedestrian overpass, USB charging stations, help points, security cameras, digital signs with train arrival information, Wi-Fi and a state-of-the-art snow melting system embedded in the concrete of the platforms to ensure they remain free of snow and ice during winter storms.
"As New York continues its comeback, this beautiful, modern new station will provide our customers with the fastest, safest and greenest way to get to the state-of-the-art UBS Arena,” said MTA Acting Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “This station delivers amenities and conveniences that give customers the ability to enjoy New York Islanders games, concerts and all of the fantastic events that will happen here, further incentivizing them to return to mass transit."
The station is expected to receive service approximately every half hour during peak times and hourly during off-peak periods. The parking lot north of the Belmont racetrack, which has 2,860 spaces, will be shared by commuters and arena patrons.
