Ronkonkoma Branch

The Ronkonkoma Branch, occasionally called the Greenport Branch east of Ronkonkoma, is a rail service operated by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in the U.S. state of New York. LIRR maps and printed schedules show the Ronkonkoma Branch extending along the railroad's Main Line from Hicksville (where the Port Jefferson Branch leaves the Main Line) east to the line's terminus at Greenport. [ [http://mta.info/lirr/html/lirrmap.htm MTA LIRR - LIRR Map] accessed Dec. 10, 2007] However, the railroad's online schedules indicate that the Ronkonkoma Branch travels only between Hicksville and Ronkonkoma, [ [http://www.mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/r.htm LIRR Rononkoma Branch Timetables] accessed Dec. 10, 2007] , while the Greenport Branch connects Ronkonkoma to Greenport. [ [http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/greenpor.htm LIRR Greenport Branch Timetables] accessed Dec. 10, 2007] East of Bethpage, the Central Branch splits from the Main Line and travels south, taking several trains between the Main Line and the Montauk Branch at Babylon.

Electrified service ends at the Ronkonkoma station. Two connecting Greenport Branch diesel-electric trains travel daily between Ronkonkoma and Greenport. Two additional diesel-electric trains serve some intermediate Greenport Branch stations in each direction on weekdays, but do not serve Greenport itself.

The railroad has tried to discontinue service east of Ronkonkoma on several occasions, citing low ridership. New York State has declined this request each time, as Long Island's population continues to grow eastward.

Service on this branch stops at Mineola during the weekdays, but not on weekends.

The Ronkonkoma Branch was electrified in 1987.

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