Long Island Rail Road Providing Trains Throughout the Day Directly to Belmont Park
It’s Just 35 Minutes from Penn Station to Belmont Park on the LIRR; Connection at Jamaica for Trains from Brooklyn and Long Island
Event Underscores How Taking the Train Is the Best Way to Get to Regional Attractions This Summer
See Video of Today’s News Conference from Belmont Park
See Photos of Today’s News Conference
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced it is operating 11 Long Island Rail Road trains to the 153rd Running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 3, so that racing fans can get to Belmont Park quickly, easily, comfortably in just 35 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. Trains will run between 9:37 a.m. and 4:26 p.m. Belmont Park is also always reachable during racing season by taking the subway to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer for the Q110 bus, or the subway to 179 St for the Q2 bus.
The announcement, made jointly by the MTA and the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), coincides with the MTA’s #TaketheTrain, #TaketheBus Campaign which features “New York is Open” images of the region’s alluring open spaces that can be reached by MTA services, such as Belmont Park – encouraging people to use the MTA’s trains and buses to get out and explore all the region has to offer.
“As the region continues to reopen, rain or shine, the Long Island Rail Road is the best way to explore what Long Island has to offer,” said Phil Eng, President of the Long Island Rail Road. “Avoid traffic, ride the train to the races this weekend, and your only worry will be about your handicapping skills and picking the horse that crosses the finish line first. I’ll offer one biased tip, LIRR is a winning ticket.”
“NYRA is thrilled to welcome fans back to beautiful Belmont Park on Saturday for the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets,” said Dave O’Rourke, President & CEO of the New York Racing Association. “The Long Island Rail Road is the best way for ticketed spectators to travel to Belmont on Saturday for what is sure to be a spectacular day of world class thoroughbred racing.”
The LIRR’s Belmont Stakes-bound trains will depart from Penn Station, stop at Jamaica for customers connecting from Brooklyn, Woodside, and stations on Long Island, and then operate direct to Belmont. The trip from Penn Station to Belmont takes approximately 35 minutes. Immediately following the race and continuing until Belmont Park closes, return trains will depart approximately every 15 minutes to Jamaica, Brooklyn and Penn Station. Schedules and more information are available in the LIRR’s Belmont Stakes schedule.
Admission to Belmont Park will be limited to 12,000 fans with pre-purchased Belmont Stakes admission passes. There will be no walk-up admission ticket sales for the event.
Belmont Park Station is accessible to wheelchair users from the east end of the station platform. Riders can inform the conductor if they need assistance getting on and off the train at Belmont Station.
Only LIRR Belmont Park tickets will be accepted for train service to and from Belmont Park. Other ticket types (CityTicket, monthly, weekly and Ten-Trip tickets) are not valid on Belmont Park trains. Customers can buy Round-Trip LIRR tickets before boarding at staffed ticket windows, ticket machines or via the MTA eTix app.
In the interest of safety and in attempt to make sure that people drink responsibly, MTA Police will be enforcing a no-alcohol policy on trains to/from Belmont Park.
Customer Service Center agents are available to answer questions via live chat or phone between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., daily. For service related questions, chat live with customer service agents through the LIRR TrainTime app. To speak with an agent, call 511 or 718-217-LIRR (718-217-5477) and say “Representative” when the prompts begin. Automated schedule information is available via phone 24/7.