Public Transport (LIRR) - 2009 US Open @ Bethpage Black
June 3, 2009 by deo_lookout · 23 Comments
**Monday Update: Shuttle service for Jones Beach parking and LIRR service will be available**
Here’s the official word - Monday Shuttle: LIRR & Driving Direction to the 2009 US Open at Bethpage Black.
Again, from the USGA (with updates from me):
MTA Long Island Rail Road is the fastest, easiest and most convenient way to get to the U.S. Open. The LIRR is committed to providing safe, comfortable transportation, and will offer extra service to accommodate those attending the U.S. Open. Customers will travel to the LIRR Farmingdale Station (not Bethpage), pass through security, and then board complimentary buses for a short ride to the U.S. Open. Train service will be provided in both directions on the Ronkonkoma Branch to accommodate customers traveling from either New York City or Eastern Long Island. Transfer from other branches is also available.
Farmingdale is 32 miles from New York’s Penn Station. The trip is expected to take less than an hour and regular fares will be charged (fares may change as of June 17 - the current roundtrip fare from Penn Station to Farmingdale is $14). The LIRR encourages golf fans to purchase roundtrip tickets before boarding trains, as tickets bought on-board cost more. Penn Station also serves New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains and is a major stop on the New York City subway system. Parking will be limited at most train stations. Visit the LIRR U.S. Open webpage at http://www.mta.info/lirr/News/2009/USOpen.htm for more information. Tickets can be ordered online from the MTA Web site using WebTicket, or can be purchased at all open ticket offices and ticket machines. The U.S. Open train schedule is available here (pdf).
Service will be available approximately every 30 minutes; more service will be available during peak periods. LIRR Travel Information is available at 718-217-LIRR (5477).
I live in Amityville. Can I take a cab to Farmingdale Station and then get on shuttle to us open? Obviously, I cannot take the train to Farmingdale and driving to Jones Beach when i am few miles away seems silly.
@Harry Kaplan
Now I’m not a representitive from the USGA… that said, I don’t see why you could not take this route. I’m pretty sure you’ll only need to show your Open tickets.
Another option with cab, go directly to the drop off point. Here’s what I found about the Passenger, Taxi and Limousine Drop-Off.
You need to have a train ticket to board the busses at the train station in Farmingdale. A cab to the passenger drop off works, or you can park at a train station along the Ronkonkoma branch and take the train from there.
@Jeff
That’s good info. Did you take the train this morning?
Can anyone else confirm?
I’m not going until Saturday. However, I read that note on the LIRR website:
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE PURCHASE OF ROUND-TRIP TICKETS PRIOR TO BOARDING YOUR TRAIN TO THE OPEN; LIRR CUSTOMERS MUST HAVE A VALID TRAIN TICKET TO BOARD THE BUSES AT FARMINGDALE STATION
This is right at the top of the US Open page on the website:
http://www.mta.info/lirr/Video/USOpen2009/index.html
Can you take the LIRR from Mineola or Hickville stations to Farmingdale without heading back to Jamaica Station?
Yes… make sure you get on a Ronkonkoma branch line. You can take LIRR from either station… just consult a schedule - here.
Also, here’s a map.
Is there westbound service to Farmingdale–like the last US Open?
Yes, there is West bound LIRR service. Check the MTA website for more info.
Since they will not allow cell phones at the US Open, does anyone know if they’ll provide security lockers or boxes for cell phones at the train station (since that’s where the security is)?
@mike
I didn’t go through the train transit route. No lockers at Jones Beach. My suggestion… leave your phone at home (and your camera too).
Does anyone know how much time to allow for the shuttle from the Farmingdale train station? Wondering if we should take the earliest possible train?
@kristen
My understand is that it takes about 20 minutes.
We are coming in from Connecticut on Friday. Are there any stations on the Ronkonkoma line that has access to easy paid parking so we can jump on a train to Farmingdale? We are willing to drive out to
westernEastern LI if there are and back track.Thank you
@Kevin
A big reason NOT to drive is avoiding LI traffic on a Friday afternoon. Driving out East would defeat that purpose… I suppose getting in and out of the Jones Beach is also a factor, but really you want to avoid the LIE too.
Regarding parking by a station on the Ronkonkoma line… I don’t have anything good to offer. Anyone else?
I suppose you could park in Manhattan and leave from Penn Station. It looks like you’ll need to tempt fate and drive all the way… Good luck. Let us know how it works out.
OK…you convinced us to drive to MSG/Penn Sta, park and take the train. Thank you for knocking some snse into us
What parking lots are closed due to the rain?
Can you check cell phones at the us open?
@irv strouse
No… you cannot check cell phones. My suggestion…don’t bring it.
My 2cents, it’s kind of nice to have a day away from your mobile.
@margaret kelly
Hi… I posted something here about parking lot closing for Friday’s 2009 US Open @ Bethpage.
We did not have to show a LIRR train ticket to get on the shuttle at Farmingdale. They also had a tent there to check cell phones and other prohibited items.
@Mer, thanks for that info. I took the train Friday and couldn’t remember - a friend of mine lives in Westbury and wants to just meet me via cab at Farmingdale tomorrow and get on the bus.