Going to U.S. Open Fan Week? Here's what to know and how to get there

The U.S. Tennis Association this week serves up the opening volley in the annual U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows with the start of U.S. Open Fan Week.

During the prelude to the championship tournament, access to the grounds is free and open to the public, but select events will require paid tickets or a free special pass. The events include family-friendly activities and player practices across the grounds, all anchored by the U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament.

With that, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced service changes to help the estimated 1 million attendees reach the tennis venue in Flushing. Here's what to know:

How can you use the LIRR to get to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center?

Customers can take trains from Grand Central-Madison, Penn Station and the Port Washington Branch directly to Mets-Willets Point, with fares of $5 off-peak and $7 peak via purchase of a CityTicket available on the TrainTime app. Fans using other Long Island Rail Road branches can take the train to Woodside, then transfer for the seven-minute ride to Mets-Willets Point.

Will there be extra trains available on the LIRR?

Yes: Beginning Monday and running through Aug. 29, which covers the opening days of the main draw, the LIRR will add four morning peak trains  from Port Washington to Mets-Willets Point. Then, after 9:30 a.m., all westbound Port Washington Branch trains have a scheduled Mets-Willets Point stop, as do all weekend trains.

What about bus service?

The Q90 bus stops at Seaver Way and Roosevelt Avenue, providing access to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center; customers can use the real-time tracking feature on the MTA app.

How about subway service?

New York City Transit will run five additional No. 7 trains from Mets-Willets Point following the last daily matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Supplemental trains will run express to 74th Street-Broadway and then make all local stops to 34th Street-Hudson Yards. On Saturday, which is Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, northbound service will run express from 74th Street to Mets-Willets Point, the MTA said.

What are the paratransit options?

A designated pickup and drop-off location near the Champions’ Entry will allow Access-A-Ride paratransit service users access to the tennis center. The MTA said paratransit users must schedule rides one to two days in advance by calling 877-337-2017 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Where can I find service information?  

  The MTA said more information is available online at mta.info, by calling 511 and via the MTA app.

The main draws of the U.S. men’s and women’s championships begin Sunday. The tournament runs through to Sept. 7.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”