Long Island Rail Road afternoon train to Montauk from Manhattan now permanent option

It’s getting more convenient to get out east from New York City.

The Long Island Rail Road’s 5:13 p.m. train that goes directly to Montauk from Manhattan will become a permanent weekday option, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Monday.

The expanded service means fewer trips during which a passenger must change trains, typically at Jamaica Station.

Rachael Corsi, executive director of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, expects that the new train service will help draw more people to Montauk, particularly tourists.

"It's gonna bring a ton of people out here — people who are commuting, people from the city, people coming out here year-round," said Corsi, whose group represents about 300 businesses. "I think it opens a lot of opportunity."

She cited the forthcoming Fall Fest and Clam Chowder Contest on Columbus Day weekend and the Holiday Fair in winter, Dec. 12 and 13, with live reindeer, Santa Claus and crafts.

The announcement reflects a steady expansion of Manhattan-to-Montauk service in recent years.

Typically, the train would go just to Speonk. But it started going directly to Montauk on Fridays in past years, and earlier this year the service was expanded to additional days, Monday through Friday, during the summer, said Rob Free, the railroad president.

"This train will now operate to Montauk Monday through Friday year-round, providing our customers another opportunity to get out east," he said Monday afternoon, speaking at an MTA board committee meeting.

The train arrives in Montauk at around 8:30 p.m. after making all stops on the branch, starting with Jamaica and then Babylon as the first Long Island stop, according to railroad spokesperson Lucas Bejarano.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.