Transit News and Updates

The Long Island Rail Road has announced that it will provide additional service on Christmas Eve this Wednesday, Dec. 24 for all customers leaving early for the holiday weekend.

Thirteen extra trains will depart Penn Station between 12:55 and 3:48 p.m. Additionally, off-peak fares will be in effect for the entire weekend between Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25 and Sunday, Dec. 28.

Additionally, a special Family Fare program will be in effect. Up to four children between five and 11 years of age can ride for the advance purchase fare of 75 cents each when accompanied by a fare-paying parent or guardian. Weekly and monthly ticket holders only pay for the children. Youngsters under five ride for free.

Among the extra trains departing Penn Station being offered this Wednesday afternoon are as follows:

• the 12:55 p.m. and 1:55 p.m. trains on the Ronkonkoma branch stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, Mineola, and Hicksville, then all stops to Ronkonkoma;

• the 1:52 p.m. and 3 p.m. trains on the Babylon branch stopping at Jamaica and Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon;

• the 2:09 p.m. train on the Port Jefferson branch stopping at Jamaica and Carle Place, then all stops to Huntington;

• the 2:26 p.m. train on the Port Jefferson branch stopping at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica and New Hyde Park, then all stops to Huntington;

• the 3:24 p.m. train on the Port Jefferson branch stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville;

• the 3:40 p.m. train on the Port Washington branch stopping at Woodside and Flushing, then all stops to Great Neck; and,

• the 3:48 p.m. train on the Far Rockaway branch stopping at Locust Manor, Laurelton, Rosedale and Valley Stream, then all stops to Far Rockaway.

It was noted that the 5:59 p.m. train from Penn Station to Babylon will not operate on Christmas Eve. Riders can instead pick up the 6:05 p.m. train from Penn Station that will make all stops from Merrick to Babylon.

All LIRR trains will operate on a weekday/holiday schedule on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25. A weekday schedule will be in effect on Friday, Dec. 26.

For additional information, call the LIRR's 24-hour travel information center at 1-718-217-LIRR (TTY 1-718-558-3022) or visit www.mta.info/lirr.

Subway Changes

The MTA has scheduled a number of service changes for several subway lines throughout the city due to construction work.

These service advisories are current as of Wednesday, Dec. 17. Last minute changes to service and operating schedules may be made due to weather-related conditions or emergency repairs.

Rail lines which run through the area that will be affected include the following:

Switch Of Platforms On 7 Line In L.I.C.

All Manhattan-bound 7 trains will stop at the Flushing-bound platform at the Hunters Point Avenue and Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue stations during late nights, Wednesday and Friday, from 1:30 a.m. until 5 a.m. through Friday, Dec. 19.

During this service change, all 7 trains will operate every 20 minutes between Hunters Point Avenue and Manhattan.

Short Rides For Some Bklyn.-Bound L Trains

The last stop for some Canarsie/Rockaway Parkwaybound L trains will be Myrtle- Wyckoff Avenues on Thursday, Dec. 18 and Friday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Riders can transfer between Canarsie/Rockaway Parkwaybound L trains at Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues to continue their trip.

Additionally, L train service will be suspended between Eighth Avenue and Union Square in Manhattan during late nights all week from 12:01 a.m. until 5 a.m. through Saturday, Dec. 20. Riders can transfer between the L train and the M14 bus at Union Square.

Furthermore, L train service will operate in two sections—between Union Service and Bedford Avenue and between Bedford Avenue and Rockaway Parkway—during this time period. All L trains will depart from the Eighth Avenue-bound platform at the Union Square, Third Avenue and First Avenue stations.

During this time period, all L trains will operate every 24 minutes in both sections. Riders can transfer between L trains at Bedford Avenue to continue their trip.

G Train Service Is Suspended In Qns.

G train service between 71st- Continental Avenues and Court Square will be suspended late night on weekends until further notice from 8:30 p.m. Fridays until 5 a.m. Mondays.

For service to points in Brooklyn, take the R train to Queens Plaza and transfer to the E train. Take the E train to 23rd Street-Ely Avenue, where G service is available at the Court Square platform.

For service to points in Queens, transfer to the E train at Court Square, then depart at Queens Plaza for R train local service.

Additionally, Brooklyn-bound G trains will stop at the Forest Hillsbound platform at the 21st Street and Greenpoint Avenue stations late night on Thursday, Dec. 18 and Friday, Dec. 19 from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. During this time frame, all G trains will operate every 20 minutes.

Holiday Changes For Express Buses

Through Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, the QM10, QM12, QM15, QM16, QM17, QM18 and QM22 express buses will not stop on Sixth Avenue at 50th and 52nd streets in Manhattan due to holiday traffic.

Riders of the Queens-bound QM10, QM12 and QM22 can pick up the buses on Sixth Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets, while commuters using the Queens-bound QM15, QM16, QM17 and QM18 buses can board on Sixth Avenue at 48th Street.

For a complete list of service changes and last-minute updates, visit the MTA's website at www.mta.info.