Grand Central Direct Train Begins Run

By Hamodia Staff

NEW YORK — The first train of Grand Central Direct pulled into Grand Central Madison Station at the terminal platform at 11:07 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, with Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber aboard.

The train was the first of Grand Central Direct trains now operating between Jamaica and Grand Central Madison between 6:15 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on weekends.

Trains are running every 30 minutes in both directions during weekday midday periods as well as on weekends, and once per hour during peak periods – arriving in Grand Central between 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and departing between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

During this initial period, the LIRR has customer ambassadors on the Grand Central Madison concourse to greet customers and offer information about the new space.

LIRR customers to Grand Central Madison can use their Penn Station tickets, as Penn Station and Grand Central Madison are in the same fare zone.

In June, the MTA published a draft of what could be expected when the initiation period ends, and the MTA will provide at least three weeks notice before the full train schedules go into effect.

Grand Central Madison doubles LIRR capacity into Manhattan, with a third track on the LIRR Main Line and the new terminal which enables reverse commuting options. The new terminal is expected to save 40 minutes a day of commute time round trip.

“Grand Central Madison is a game changer for New Yorkers, and I look forward to welcoming Long Island commuters to our tremendous new terminal,” Governor Hochul said.