LIRR announces weekend service changes

Weekend travelers on the Long Island Rail Road will find buses replacing early-morning trains on a stretch of the Port Washington branch and added train service on the Montauk branch for the Montauk St. Patrick's Day parade, the commuter service said.

On Saturday, buses will substitute for trains at the Port Washington, Plandome and Manhasset stations because of rail inspections by the Sperry rail car, the LIRR said.

On Sunday, an extra westbound train has been added to the Montauk line for those leaving the parade.

Customers on Saturday can expect bus and van service to replace four early-morning trains on the Port Washington branch after 1 a.m. at the three stations. Customers can transfer between trains and buses or vans at the Great Neck station and should allow up to 30 minutes of extra travel time in either direction, the LIRR said.

The inspections by the Sperry rail car are "designed to detect internal rail defects not readily visible to the human eye," according to a news release from the service. Any defects will be repaired "immediately by a crew of LIRR track maintenance personnel."

Customers attending the parade are advised to buy round-trip train tickets in advance.

Alcoholic drinks are prohibited Sunday on the Montauk branch -- trains, platforms and stations -- the LIRR said, and MTA Police will enforce the ban.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

Customers can call 511, the New York State Travel Information Line (say: Long Island Rail Road), for schedule information, or visit mta.info/lirr/. Hearing-impaired customers can use their preferred relay service provider for the free 711 relay to reach LIRR at 511.