Assemblyman Fred Thiele today announced that the MTA has approved the reinstatement of the South Fork Commuter Connection (SFCC). The LIRR will meet with the Assemblyman and the Towns of East Hampton and Southampton in the near future to finalize the details relating to the restoration of the popular service. Service is expected to begin again in the fall. SFCC service was suspended in March 2020 as a result ofthe COVID-19 outbreak.

SFCC ridership was impressive since its inception in March 2019. For the first six months of service, from March to August of 2019, LIRR ridership on the South Fork increased 126% over the same period the previous year before the institution of the SFCC (14,725 in 2018 compared to 33,284 in 2019). According to the LIRR, 72% of this was directly attributable to the new weekday trains. Additionally, in 2018, prior the start of the SFCC, ridership for the LIRR on the South Fork from September to November was 2,742. In 2019 with the addition of the SFCC, ridership spiked to a total of 10,060, or a 267% increase.

Thiele stated, “I am thrilled that the East End will see the restoration of this tremendously successful commuter service. Traffic congestion on the East End has increased dramatically as a result of the pandemic, as more people took up residence on the East End. The service is needed now more than ever. The LIRR restored the service, even as they continue to face continuing fiscal challenges. I thank my state and local partners, as well as LIRR President Phil Eng, for their dedication and look forward to reinstating this popular service as soon as possible.”