The American National Railroad (Amtrak) has recently proposed a plan to launch a direct train service from Long Island, New York to the mainland of the East Coast, with the new service expected to be operational no earlier than 2030. If approved, trains from Long Island to Washington D.C. could make the journey in just 5 hours without the need for a transfer at Penn Station in Manhattan.
At a board meeting on May 22nd, Amtrak revealed its consideration of utilizing existing Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks to add branch lines in the Northeast Corridor, routing some trains through the heart of Long Island.
According to the plan, three Amtrak eastbound off-peak trains will depart from New York’s Penn Station, passing through Jamaica and Hicksville, with the final stop at Ronkonkoma in the middle of Long Island. In the westbound direction, three trains will depart from Ronkonkoma, heading directly to Washington D.C., with the entire journey taking about five hours. The new service is expected to be operational no earlier than 2030.
Nicole Bucich, Vice President of Network Development at Amtrak, emphasized that there has been a long-standing lack of direct rail services from Long Island to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New Jersey, indicating a clear market demand. She stated that Amtrak trains are expected to reach city centers faster than existing commuter railroads, enhancing competitiveness.
While this plan represents a modest expansion of commuter rail services, the new route is poised to alleviate longstanding connectivity issues in regional passenger rail transport. Since the opening of the Pennsylvania Station and the rail tunnels under the Hudson and East Rivers in 1910, there has never been a direct train service between Long Island and New Jersey, with passengers having to transfer at Penn Station in Manhattan.