LIRR Centre Avenue Station – Local Long Beach Stop
A small community station serving local Nassau County residents on the Long Beach Branch —LIRR Centre Avenue Station, located in East Rockaway. That provides direct access to Penn Station and Jamaica so that commuters will have a direct line into the city. Styled after the Elvis series, the station will have ticket vending machines and a sheltered platform and seating situated under a simple roofline.
Centre Avenue, while it might not draw crowds as large as the bigger hubs, is appreciated for its quieter, more neighbourhood-friendly service. QF 2 is located near residential areas, making it an easy option for commuters who plan to travel to this part of the island daily. With the frequency of trains on the Long Beach Branch, riders from Centre Avenue can count on steady service all year round, but especially through the summer when the branch experiences higher traffic to Long Beach.
LIRR Centre Avenue Train Station
Centre Avenue Station Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Station Name | Centre Avenue (LIRR Long Beach Branch) |
| Address | Forest Avenue between Rocklyn & Centre Avenues, East Rockaway, NY (≈ 2.5 mi from Penn Station) centrethaibistro.com+10Wikipedia+10Long Island+10 |
| Line | Long Beach Branch (LIRR) |
| Platforms / Tracks | 2 side platforms (10‑car length), 2 tracks Wikipedialirr.fandom.com |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair‑accessible ramps; no tactile strips MTASubwayNut |
| Parking | Permit-only resident (East Rockaway) parking one block west; limited non‑resident spots Wikipediamaps.511mobility.org |
| Amenities | Shelters, ticket vending machines; no station house lirr.fandom.comSubwayNut |
| Zone / Ownership | LIRR Zone 7, owned & operated by Long Island Rail Road WikipediaWikipedia |
| Opened / History | Opened in 1898 as South Lynbrook (renamed 1924); station moved in late 1960s to install high-level platforms |
Centre Avenue Station Address
- Forest Avenue, Rocklyn Avenue and Centre Avenue, one block from Atlantic Lynbrook/East Rockaway, NY, 11563
Centre Avenue Station Features & Amenities
- Centre Avenue (Opened: 1898 as South Lynbrook; Renamed: Centre Avenue, 1924).
- The Metro-North Railroad station consists of two high-level side platforms, each 12 cars long, serving the LIRR Long Beach Branch.
- It has no station building or indoor waiting area, only minimal shelters and a ticket kiosk at the extreme north of the New York-bound platform.
- Accessibility: The station has a ramp to the street stairs on Bay Parkway, but no ramps or elevators to the platforms, and tactile warning strips do not exist in this station.
- Amenities: Ticket Vending Machine Kiosk, Basic Shelters (No Restrooms, No Staffed Ticket Office)
Parking & Transport Connections at Centre Avenue
- Parking: For East Rockaway and Lynbrook residents with village‑issued permits. A small number of non‑resident parking spaces are available (~56 spaces).
- Town of Hempstead, Permits and Maintenance, including snow removal by the Village of East Rockaway.
- Town of Hempstead, Permits and Maintenance, including snow removal by the Village of East Rockaway.
- Bus & taxi links: Several NICE bus routes, including N31/N32 and N4/N4X; taxis wait here. Available taxi service (NICE: 516‑228‑4000)
Nearby Attractions & Amenities
- The station is located nearby to Memorial Park and the historic Haviland-Davison Grist Mill, a living grist mill of the 19th century, across from the park, approximately 350 yards (320 m) south on Old Bedford Road, where it winds between Route 172 and Darlington Avenue.
- The adjacent neighbourhoods of East Rockaway and Lynbrook provide easy access to shops, restaurants, and convenient residential facilities.
MTA LIRR Centre Avenue Station Schedule
Weekday Schedule:
| Direction | First Train | Last Train | Typical Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| To Long Beach (eastbound) | ~ 6:10 AM (from Penn, Centre Ave ~6:12 AM) | ~ 12:10 AM (arrival) | Every ~30 min during peaks; ~60 min off‑peak us.longisland.com+5Long Island+5Long Island+5 |
| To Penn Station / Grand Central (westbound) | ~ 5:27 AM (from Long Beach) | ~ 11:26 PM (Centre Ave arrival) | Similar pattern: peak ~30 min, midday hourly |
Weekend Schedule:
| Direction | Service Window | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| To Penn Station (westbound) | Approximately 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM | About every 60 minutes |
| To Long Beach (eastbound) | Approximately 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM | About every 60 minutes |
Restaurants near Centre Avenue Station
- Haviland Kitchen & Bar: American cuisine and cocktails, upscale.
- James & Main | Photo: Kara S./Yelp Next up is James & Main, a stylish, casual New American spot.
- Centre Thai Bistro: Traditional Thai, curry, noodles, and lunch specials.
- Sapori Pizzeria: Neighbourhood joint serving upscale Italian and pizza takeout, with handwritten specials.
- Lazy Lobster: Relaxed seafood spot for lobster rolls, outdoors with happen-to-be seating.
- Reel: A divey spot for seafood and New American fare, with a full bar.
- Greek Xpress: Mediterranean wraps, platters, and salads.
- Super Pollo: Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken with sides (Latin)
- Interiano’s Pizzeria: Casual pizzeria serving pies & pasta.
FAQs
Q1. What branch does the LIRR Centre Avenue Station serve?
A: The LIRR Centre Avenue Station lies within the Long Beach branch, which offers stops between East Rockaway and Lynbrook.
Q2. Is Centre Avenue Station accessible to passengers?
A: Yes, the LIRR Centre Avenue station has two high-level side platforms accessible by ramp but has no tactile warning strips.
Q3. How often do trains stop at Centre Avenue Station?
A: Trains at the Centre Avenue stop service, like the rest of the Long Beach Branch, every 20-30 minutes at the busiest times and approximately once per hour during off-peak times or on the weekend.
Q4. What type of station facilities are available at Centre Avenue?
A: LIRR Centre Avenue has limited amenities; there are open shelters, TVMs (ticket vending machines), and no staff station house, with slight residential parking around.
Q5. Where can riders view the Centre Avenue schedule?
A: The Long Beach Branch PDF and the MTA website have timetables with official details for LIRR Centre Avenue Station times. Real-time can be accessed through the TrainTime app.
