Elmont LIRR Station Offers Fans Options to Arrive at UBS Arena

Next stop, Elmont!
The (rail) road to UBS Arena hit another milestone on Tuesday, with the ceremonial opening of the Elmont LIRR station - the first new LIRR station built in nearly 50 years.
The station, which is located between the Queens Village and Bellerose LIRR stops, will provide New York Islanders fans with a quick and reliable mass transportation option to UBS Arena, and an alternative to driving to games.

"The train has literally pulled into the station and we couldn't' be more pleased," Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky said after taking the ceremonial first ride from Jamacia Station to Elmont Station.
Currently the Elmont stop, which is located on the LIRR's main line, is only operating on the Hempstead line's eastbound track, with westbound service set to commence next summer. In the interim, fans can catch westbound trains from the Belmont Park station, or the Queens Village station, ether to the city, or to Jamaica to transfer to an eastbound train. The MTA plans to increase train and stop frequency at both stations - and shuttle buses to the Queens Village station - to accommodate Islanders fans on game nights.

"We are providing multiple train service options," Rob Free, LIRR Senior VP Operations, said. "Extra trains will be added between Belmont Park and Jamaica stations, added stops to main line trains at Queens Village station and eastbound Hempstead trains will have added stops at the new Elmont train station."
Even the partial opening of the Elmont station represents a major milestone for the Elmont community, Islanders fans and UBS Arena. The local community will benefit from a full-time LIRR stop, Islanders fans will have more options for transportation to games and UBS Arena will continue to make strides in its sustainability goals.
"We want fans to take the most sustainable way to come to a game," Ledecky said. "It's fast. It's efficient. It's effective. It's 30 minutes from Penn station to the station here."
Electric shuttlebuses will also be available to transport fans from Elmont station to UBS Arena adding to the green theme.
"It's an embodiment of the region's profound awareness that transportation, public transportation, is the future," Janno Lieber, the Acting Chair and CEO of the MTA, said. "The way to build is green and clean - reduce congestion. It's so important for major sporting events like the ones that are going to take place here."

The goal for the new Elmont station is to help reduce traffic and congestion in the Elmont community and give Islanders fans a secondary option to travel to games.
"The station is going to reduce travel times and are expected to increase the number of people who attend great events at this great new facility," Lieber said.
Trains whizzed through the station during Tuesday's ribbon cutting ceremony, which was also attended by New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, Clark Gillies, John Tonelli and Sparky the Dragon, to name a few. Ledecky joked that the trains were right on time. In reality, so is UBS Arena.
"This is a great day, not only for the Islanders fans and the organization, but a wonderful day for New Yorkers," Ledecky said. "It's been nearly half a century since the last train station was built, but this new station will provide an essential transportation option for hockey and music fans."
More information on the new station, as well as route planning can be found at the MTA's website.