LIRR adds extra service for Thanksgiving weekend

For holiday travelers hoping to avoid traffic gridlock, parking fees and tolls, the Long Island Rail Road says it has an alternative.

The LIRR is adding extra service on Wednesday and Thursday and offering off-peak fares for the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, the commuter service said Monday in a release.

On Black Friday, traditionally one of the busiest shopping days, off-peak fares will be in effect all day, including a special "Family Fare discount."

Under the discount, "up to four children ages 5-11 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," the release said.

Weekly and monthly ticket holders pay only for children, and children under 5 years old ride free.

LIRR president Helena Williams said the additional trains were added on the busy holiday weekend "to make sure our customers get where they are going safely and reliably."

The extra Thanksgiving Eve trains include 10 departing Penn Station between 2:10 p.m. and 4:06 p.m. The extra afternoon service has three trains operating on the Babylon branch, three on the Port Jefferson branch (one to Hicksville, two to Huntington), two on the Port Washington branch to Great Neck, one on the Far Rockaway branch and one on the Montauk branch.

The LIRR also said open alcoholic beverage containers are prohibited on trains, stations and platforms from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 5 a.m. Thursday and that MTA police will enforce the restriction.