Service to Belmont Park Spring/Summer Racing Meet

LIRR Trains Running on May 30 and June 6 (Stakes Day) Only, but There are Subway and Bus Alternatives

Due to the current budget situation, MTA Long Island Rail Road will not be providing regular service to Belmont Park this year, but racing fans can find alternate ways to get to the track using the LIRR as well as subway and buses. Belmont’s 64-day Spring/Summer Meet begins on Wednesday, April 29 and customers can get there in several ways:

• NYRA Shuttle Bus: The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will provide free shuttle bus service between Belmont Park and the LIRR Queens Village Station. The shuttles to Belmont will depart the corner of Springfield Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue at 12:30 PM. The return shuttle bus service from Belmont Park to the LIRR’s Queens Village Station will be provided approximately 15 minutes after the last live race. There will be drop-off and pick-up points at both the clubhouse and grandstand entrances at Belmont Park.

• By Alternate Bus Service at Queens Village: Take the LIRR from Penn Station or Jamaica to the Queens Village Station. Then board the Q27 bus under the trestle on Springfield Blvd and transfer to the Q2 bus at the intersection of Springfield Blvd. and Hempstead Ave. The Q2 takes customers into Belmont.

• By Subway: Take the F train to 169th St. or 179th St., then take the N6 or the Q2 bus to Belmont or take the E train to Jamaica Center (Parsons Blvd.) and then take the Q110 bus to Belmont.                                                      

• By Bus from Nassau County: Take the N6 MTA Long Island Bus, which
  operates along Hempstead Turnpike through West Hempstead, Franklin Square and Elmont. Bus stops in front of Belmont Park.

The LIRR will provide direct service to Belmont on only two days: Saturday, May 30 and again on Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 6.

On the day of the big race, the LIRR will operate 18 trains to Belmont, most direct from Penn Station beginning at 9:59 AM. There will also be frequent westbound service back to Jamaica and Penn Station starting at 4:06 PM and continuing until 10:11 PM.

The elimination of regular service to Belmont Park will be the first of enacted service cuts necessary to balance the MTA’s budget for 2009 absent any action from Albany.

For additional information, racing fans can contact the LIRR's 24-hour Travel Information Center in New York City at 718-217-LIRR, in Suffolk County at 631-231-LIRR, or in Nassau County at 516-822-LIRR. The Travel Information Center’s TDD number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022

For information on races and admission to Belmont Park, please call 516-488-6000 ext 4306 or visit the New York Racing Association - Belmont Park website.