Getting to Rockaway Beach this summer: increased subway service

ROCKAWAY, Queens (PIX11) – This summer, the MTA is making it easier to get to the beach in New York City.

For access to the Rockaways, Rockaway Park Shuttle service will be extended to Rockaway Boulevard on the weekends, MTA officials announced Tuesday. The number of Rockaway Park Shuttle cars will double to reach 10, officials said.

“While I can’t offer you a trip to Aruba or to Greece, what I can offer you is great service to one of our New York beaches in the Rockaways,” said interim New York City Transit Department chair Demetrius Crichlow. 

The Rockaway Shuttle can be picked up from any A train going to Ozone Park or Far Rockaway, and the extended line will go into effect for the Fourth of July, running on Thursday and through the weekend. 

Service to Coney Island and Brighton Beach will also be improved with increased mid-day B, D, J and M train service and increased 3 and 5 trains on the weekends. In total, the MTA will add 500 trips to the lines, Crichlow said. 

“New York is a beach town, everybody forgets it,” said MTA Chair Janno Lieber. “beaches, beaches, beaches!”

Looking for a beach on Long Island? The MTA will offer a number of bundles and discounts on the Long Island Rail Road this summer, taking beach-goers to Fire Island, Long Beach, Jones Beach and Robert Moses. 

The bundles include LIRR tickets, transit to and from the beach via buses and ferries and beach admission. 

“This is a no brainer,” Lieber said. “Weekends have rebounded faster than any other part of the week or the month in our post-COVID era.”