Jamaica (LIRR Station) - Configuration and Operation

Configuration and Operation

Jamaica is the Long Island Rail Road's hub station. There are five high-level island platforms each 1000 feet long, almost 12 cars; a train on track 2 or track 7 can be entered from platforms on either side, allowing passengers to quickly transfer between three trains at once. During the morning rush westbound trains from three different lines bound for three different terminals are scheduled to arrive at Jamaica simultaneously on tracks 1, 2, and 3. Passengers can cross to the train for their destination by passing through the train on track 2 (or by the stairs). In the evening the process is reversed: trains from three New York terminals destined for three branches arrive on tracks 6, 7, and 8 and allow commuters to cross to the desired outbound train. The middle tracks – 4 and 5 – share a platform which is used during rush hours to allow passengers to transfer to their destination train on the other side of the platform.

Travel time is around the same 20 minutes for the 11.3 miles from Jamaica station to Penn Station in Midtown or for the 9.3 miles to Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn. As of April 3, 2011 the public timetables show 169 weekday trains from Penn Station to or through Jamaica, 62 from Brooklyn, and nine from Long Island City / Hunterspoint Ave. All but two of those trains continue east from Jamaica, along with 28 weekday trains that originate there.

The main entrance to the station, where tickets may be purchased and where waiting areas are located, is a 100-year old building that also serves as the offices and headquarters of the Long Island Rail Road Company.