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Officials urge train use, warn that private parking offers for US Open may violate town rules
Summary
Town officials briefed the board on US Open rail schedule changes and warned that private properties offering paid parking risk being cited for a 'change of use'; they recommended official park-and-ride and train options to avoid last-mile issues.
Southampton officials told the Town Board they are coordinating outreach about changes to rail service for US Open week and urged residents and visitors to use vetted parking and official shuttles or trains rather than private lots that advertise event parking.
Tom, a town staff member leading transit coordination, described efforts to consolidate a confusing published rail schedule into a single, user-friendly flyer and said weekday commuter service Monday–Wednesday will generally remain unchanged, while Thursday and Friday patterns will differ. He advised riders to consider boarding at stations farther west (for example, Patchogue or Babylon) because parking at east-end stations is limited.
Council member Cindy warned that private properties offering event parking represent a "change of use," and said the town will issue violations to property owners using residential lots as parking lots. "The town will be issuing violations to people that are using their residential property as a parking lot because it's a change of use," she said, urging people to buy US Open–vetted parking or use trains and official shuttle options instead. Board members also noted risks such as vandalism and unreliable last-mile transport from private lots.
Officials discussed employee commute impacts from revised early-morning departure times on certain trains and agreed to prepare an employee memo and public materials to clarify travel and parking options. The town clerk announced adjusted office hours during the event week: the town clerk's office will be open Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., and the Hampton Bays annex will be open four days that week from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The board did not take formal votes on transit measures during the meeting. Staff said they will distribute consolidated schedule materials, recommend the use of official park-and-ride sites (including Calverton and Hampton Classic shuttles where offered), and pursue signage and ticketing-machine upgrades at stations as longer-term improvements.
