New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, WE - Sag Harbor) today announced that the 2018 State Budget includes $500,000 for the Towns of East Hampton and Southampton for “Last Mile” transportation, as part of the South Fork Commuter Connection.

The South Fork Commuter Connection would provide week day commuter service from Speonk to Montauk on a year round basis. Under the plan, the LIRR has tentatively agreed to provide 3 east bound trains in the morning and 3 westbound trains in the afternoon to service commuters working on the South Fork. Those trains would be paid for through the LIRR budget. The service is scheduled to begin in February 2019.

Critical to the plan’s success is the provision of so-called “last mile” service to get commuters from the train stations to their work place. The Towns of East Hampton and Southampton would provide this service by contracting with one or more transportation companies. Such service could be bus shuttles, ride sharing, taxis or a combination, thereof, to get commuters to their work place. It is anticipated that the Town will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for this service during the summer of 2018.

The State and the Towns would share the cost of “last mile” service. The $500,000 approved in the 2018 State Budget would be used to cover the state share of “last mile” transportation.

Thiele stated, “The final approval of state funding for ‘last mile’ connections brings commuter rail service for South Fork workers closer to reality. The benefits are substantial. The plan will reduce traffic congestion to the South Fork, including the adverse impacts from automobile congestion on the environment. The service will also make it easier for South Fork businesses to recruit and retain employees by providing an alternative, faster, and less stressful commute to the South Fork. I thank LIRR President Patrick Nowakowski and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for supporting this initiative.”