The Kew Gardens Civic Association has been working with the Long Island Rail Road on this since the end of August and we're pleased to announce, that beginning on Monday, November 9th, the 7:17 PM Long Beach LIRR train service from Grand Central Madison, will be stopping at Kew Gardens. 

For some time there was no Long Island Rail Road train service from Grand Central Madison to Kew Gardens, for the duration of 2 hours & 4 minutes, during the weekday, evening, rush-hour commute. Monday through Friday, the 5:48 PM train, arriving to Kew Gardens at 6:05 PM is the last service, until the 7:52 PM train - arriving at 8:09 PM.

The newly added 7:17 PM train service, will arrive at Kew Gardens at 7:34 PM. The lengthy wait time at GCM between trains to Kew Gardens, will drop down to 1 hr & 28 mins.

KGCA appreciated that this change was made swiftly by the Long Island Rail Road, in time for the soonest possible implementation, on November 9th – and right before the shortest daylight hours and coldest evenings of Winter, descend on us during our evening commutes home.

KGCA is continuing to work with the LIRR in order to "fully resolve" the remaining 1 hour and 28 minute gap; we have advocated the need for hourly, weekday rush-hour train service from GCM to KG – just as there is every other moment and at every station on the schedule.

The KGCA Board of Governors extended our gratitude to the LIRR team, that lead the wonderfully swift response to community concerns, this was; Ana L. Garcia, (Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations) and Nick Fasano, (Director, Government and Community Relations). These individuals coordinated our request and its resolution by the LIRR’s Transportation and Service Planning Departments.

In addition to the GCM train service schedule, other concerns KGCA has brought up to the LIRR are being reviewed and include; reduced inter-neighborhood fare between Kew Gardens & Forest Hills, a Westbound platform shelter & ticketing machine, Eastbound Platform extended/normal waiting-room hours and MTA OMNY machines. These are currently open items, and we will keep you updated with progress, as it comes to be.

Meanwhile, we hope that this new schedule adjustment makes your after-work commutes a little gentler for the time being.