UBS Arena LIRR station in full operation in Elmont

The brand new Long Island Rail Road station for the Elmont-UBS Arena is now running full-time.

The station — the LIRR’s first new one in almost 50 years — kick-started its full-time, year-round service on Monday, with all Hempstead, Huntington and Ronkonkoma branch trains stopping during both event and non-event days and times.

This means half-hourly service will be offered to and from UBS Arena both before and after Islanders games or other events. LIRR trains will no longer stop at the Belmont Park station for events at the arena.

In addition, all LIRR service to Grand Central Madison is a go as well, as Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said they added 271 trains daily and 936 trains system-wide. Almost 300 trains will travel to and from Grand Central Madison, officials said.

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said the Elmont-UBS Arena station not only provides transportation options to the public, but also boosts the area’s economy and widens access to essential services.

“This new station is not just a physical location but a representation of progress and a symbol of accessibility for all members of the community,” Assemblywoman Solages said. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of individuals who have fought for improved transportation options and a better quality of life. By embracing this new hub of connectivity, the community can continue to work towards creating a brighter future.”

Long Islanders who live east of Belmont Park will have a one-seat ride straight to UBS Arena, reducing travel times and increasing the number of commuters who use public transportation to get to the arena, while helping alleviate traffic congestion on Long Island.

Straphangers traveling from New York City could now directly return after events on many trains without the need to board a shuttle bus to Queens Village Station.

Elmont-UBS Arena Station features two 12-car-long, high-level platforms with canopies, USB charging stations, Help Points, security cameras, digital signs with train arrival information, Wi-Fi and a state-of-the-art snow melting system embedded in the concrete of the platforms.

As for parking, Elmont residents can visit ElmontUBSLIRRparking.com to apply for a parking sticker. Individuals can simply enter their address and vehicle information, and once the system confirms proof of residency, they must pay a $10 annual fee.

Residents would then receive a numbered ticket to place on their driver’s side back window, which allows access to the commuter parking lot. They could then pay with their mobile phone by texting or by scanning the QR code posted throughout the parking lot.

The daily rate for all eligible customers who want to park at the Elmont-UBS station is $8.69. For additional information on parking, call the SP Plus parking company at (332) 257-0423.

Legislator Carrié Solages said although he is pleased with the new Elmont station being fully operational, some community concerns still must be addressed, such as the lack of direct access to the train station from Hempstead Turnpike.

“Because Elmont is most directly impacted by the traffic congestion, noise, and pollution associated with UBS Arena operations, we must immediately take steps to ensure that all communities enjoy equitable access to this new mass transit hub,” the legislator said.

Lori Halop, vice president of the Parkhurst Civic Association, has been following the development of the UBS Arena and the train station since discussions first began.

Now that both projects are completed, Halop said she has only seen “destruction” to the Elmont community, including an onslaught of traffic, congestion and parking issues.

In addition, she said, the train station is inaccessible to residents south of Hempstead Turnpike.

“I think the train station has nothing to do with the residents of Elmont and is solely about being a selling point for the arena, and it has been since day one,” Halop said. “I haven’t seen any positives for the people of Elmont, for our businesses, for our residents, for our roadways, for any for any of us, other than there’s more coming down the road and it’s only going to be negative.”