A major change is coming to the way Long Islanders travel — and it’s one that could significantly simplify daily commutes and long-distance trips alike.
Amtrak is working on introducing a one-seat train ride from Long Island to New Jersey including other U.S. cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. This would mark the first time that passengers from Long Island could access national train routes without the need to transfer at Penn Station or switch to NJ Transit or the PATH system.
What Is a One-Seat Train Ride?
A one-seat ride means passengers can remain on the same train from departure to arrival — no transfers, no platform changes, and no walking between stations. For Long Islanders who’ve had to take the LIRR into Penn Station, then transfer to another service like NJ Transit to reach the Garden State or D.C., this upgrade would be a significant time-saver.
What the Proposed Route Looks Like
According to Amtrak’s plan Long Island to New Jersey plan, three existing Northeast Regional trains that currently operate between Washington, D.C., and New York will be extended east to Ronkonkoma, stopping at:
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Jamaica
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Hicksville
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Ronkonkoma
That means passengers can board directly on Long Island and remain seated all the way to D.C., with stops through New Jersey and Philadelphia along the route.
Trains will run off-peak, three times daily in both directions.
When Will This Happen?
The proposed service is slated for completion by 2030. While it may sound far off, the project is already in motion — with Amtrak seeking a federal grant of up to $500,000 to begin a technical study and route analysis.
The plan is part of a larger regional effort to modernize New York’s transportation infrastructure, which includes the Hudson Tunnel Project, Port Authority Bus Terminal and Long-term upgrades to Penn Station
Why It Matters
For Long Islanders, getting to cities like Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C. typically requires a complex route of transfers and schedules. This new service would simplify those trips and potentially encourage more people to choose rail over car travel, reducing congestion and emissions.
Amtrak representatives have stated that demand for this kind of service already exists. A seamless ride from Long Island to D.C. or NJ could appeal to both commuters and leisure travelers.
While there’s still a long way to go, this proposed one-seat ride between Long Island and the rest of the Northeast Corridor is a positive step toward more accessible and efficient train travel in the region.
We’ll continue to cover updates on this and other transit improvements across New York right here on Nova Cadeau.
