LIRR adds trains for St. Patrick's Day

The Long Island Rail Road is offering 19 extra trains Saturday -- nine westbound and 10 eastbound -- for those planning to attend New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The rail service said the additional trains will supplement the regular weekend schedule and added that customers will not be allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, even those in closed containers, on trains, platforms and to stations.

MTA police will confiscate alcoholic beverages and LIRR bar carts will not be in operation on Saturday, according to a news release.

Also, off-peak fares are in effect all day, including the special Family Fare discount and CityTicket.

Under the Family Fare program, up to four children, ages 5 to 11, can ride trains that day for the advance purchase fare of 75 cents each (one-way) when accompanied by a fare-paying parent or guardian. Current weekly and monthly ticket holders only pay for the kids. Children under 5 years old ride free.

The special weekend CityTicket also is available for $3.75 (one way) for travel within New York City on LIRR trains on Saturdays and Sundays. The CityTicket must be purchased at ticket windows or ticket machines in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens; it cannot be bought on trains.

The additional westbound trains to Penn Station are:

Babylon branch

Trains leave Wantagh at 8:54 a.m. and 9:54 a.m., making all local stops through Lynbrook, then St. Albans, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills and Penn Station.

10:29 a.m. from Wantagh making all local stops through Lynbrook, then Jamaica and Penn Station.

Ronkonkoma branch

Trains leave Ronkonkoma at 7:09 a.m., 8:09 a.m. and 9:09 a.m., making all local stops to Mineola, then New Hyde Park, Jamaica, Woodside and Penn Station.

Port Washington branch

Trains leave Port Washington at 10:10 a.m., 11:10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m., making all local stops to Flushing-Main St., then Woodside and Penn Station.

The additional eastbound from Penn Station are:

Babylon branch

Trains depart Penn Station at 2:28 p.m., 2:55 p.m. and 3:55 p.m., stopping at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, and Lynbrook, then all local stops to Babylon.

Port Washington branch

Trains depart Penn Station at 3:36 p.m., 4:36 p.m. and 5:36 p.m., stopping at Woodside, Flushing-Main St., then all local stops to Port Washington.

Ronkonkoma branch

Trains depart Penn Station at 2:48 p.m., 3:48 p.m., 4:48 p.m., 5:48 p.m. stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, then all local stops to Ronkonkoma.

For more information, customers can call 511, the New York State Travel Information Line (say, "Long Island Rail Road") or visit mta.info/lirr.