December 20, 2005

1. Use Carpool Staging Areas
   New York City requires four passengers or more in any vehicle traveling across the East River, from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. Commuters should use these regional areas to meet and form carpools for travel into New York City:
   • Southeast - Jones Beach State Park
   • Northeast - Cantiague Park, Hicksville
   • Southwest - Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach
   • Central - Eisenhower Park, East Meadow; Nassau Veterans Coliseum, Uniondale
   • Northwest - Macy's parking lot at Community Drive & Northern Blvd.
   • East - Bethpage State Park
     
     Call Long Island Transportation Management at 877-4COMMUTE (www.litm.org) for assistance with identifying riders available for a carpool to a specific New York City destination.
     
     
2. Use Park and Ride Locations
   In Nassau County, commuters can use these park and ride locations:
   
   • Park at Nassau Coliseum and ride LI Bus N 70, N71, or N72 on Hempstead Turnpike to Hempstead LIRR station
   
   In Queens:
   • Park at Shea Stadium and walk to LIRR.
   • Car pool opportunities will available at Jacob Riis Park on Rockaway Peninsula
     
     
3. Long Island Bus Service
   LI Bus serves 47 railroad stations throughout Nassau County. Commuters should take buses to the train stations to avoid traffic congestion and limited parking availability. Metro cards, which can be purchased in advance, may be used on all buses. Call 516-228-4000 for LI Bus Travel Information or click on www.mta.info.
   
   
4. Long Island Rail Road Service
   Call 516-822-LIRR or click on www.mta.info for train service. Commuters should be aware that a heavier volume of riders is expected at the following train stations: Valley Stream, Mineola, Hicksville, New Hyde Park, Lynbrook, Freeport, Manhasset, Rockville Centre, Great Neck and Floral Park. Commuters should purchase tickets in advance. Use Drop and Ride: to reduce congestion at LIRR stations, ask a family member or friend for a ride to the station.
   
   
5. Be Patient
   Please allow extra time for all trips into New York City. Commuters are encouraged to telecommute, stagger work schedules and use alternate work sites.