By Philip Newman
The Long Island Rail Road will provide vans for St. Albans passengers Sunday, Aug. 7, and Sunday, Aug. 14, because of track repairs in Valley Stream, L.I.
LIRR spokesman Sam Zambuto said this Sunday LIRR vans will move passengers between Jamaica and St. Albans from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The following Sunday the vans will run from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. Monday.
Vans will replace trains while the LIRR does surfacing in the switching area used by four LIRR branches running through Valley Stream.
Workers will realign track and switches on the west end of Valley Stream. Zambuto said the idea is to provide a smoother ride and overall better service.
The LIRR said eastbound St. Albans riders traveling from western terminals to St. Albans will leave the train at Jamaica and board vans for St. Albans. They should make provision for 17 minutes of extra travel time.
Eastbound passengers at St. Albans who travel to Babylon branch stations will board vans at St. Albans 32 minutes later than normal destined for Rockville Centre. At Rockville Centre, customers can transfer back to a train for the rest of their trip. As a result, passengers should prepare for 59 minutes of additional travel time.
Passengers at St. Albans who are going to Jamaica and western LIRR stations will board vans 13 minutes later than normal en route to Jamaica. At Jamaica, customers can transfer to a train from points west. Passengers using a van should expect an extra 30 minutes of travel time.
Westbound passengers going from Babylon branch stations to St. Albans will stay on their train to Jamaica, where they will board an eastbound van for St. Albans. They should plan for an extra 31 minutes of travel time.
St. Albans travelers can pick up a special St. Albans station timetable for travel Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, visit mta.info/lirr or call 718 217-5477.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
