Staten Island Railway (SIR) — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

The Staten Island Railway (SIR), also known as the Staten Island Subway, began operations in 1860. It has expanded over the years and now has 14 miles (about 22.5 km) of track. It serves an estimated 4 million commuters a year through its 21 stations. The railway offers 24-hour service, similar to the wider New York subway system. Passengers can opt for the Single Ride Ticket, which is the cheapest option at $3. However, the SIR does not offer direct service to any of New York City’s six airports.

This transit system, often referred to as ‘SIR’, serves approximately 28,200 passengers per day. The fare for a single trip is $2.50. The SIR, along with 20 subway lines and the PATH, operates on a 24-hour schedule. However, the summary does not mention the availability of air conditioning. In addition, passengers are not allowed to walk between platforms and the trains are not driverless. There are also no screen doors on the platforms.

The system is operated by the Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority (SIRTOA), a division of NYCTA. Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fare is $2.50.

Map of Staten Island Railway

Map of Staten Island Railway showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the taten Island Railway map in PDF format.

About Staten Island

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs that make up the state of New York, United States. It shares this distinction with Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx. Despite its size of 102.5 square miles, it is the least populated of the boroughs, with a population of just over 470,000.

The borough was originally called Richmond until 1975, when it was renamed Staten Island in honour of the Dutch settlers who first discovered it. Throughout the twentieth century, the island experienced significant population growth as a wave of immigrants made their way to New York, which was rapidly establishing itself as the nation’s primary financial centre.

Characterised as a residential area, Staten Island boasts extensive urban development, offering its residents a respite from the hustle and bustle of larger cities. The island is linked to Manhattan by a waterway and to Brooklyn by a bridge. In addition to the subway, the borough has several bus lines serving the various neighbourhoods.

The Staten Island Railway (SIR) is the only subway line through all five boroughs that is not directly connected to or overseen by the New York Subway. It began operations in 1860 and has since grown to approximately 14 miles of track. It carries over 4 million commuters a year and has 21 stations in the eastern part of the borough.

Lines

The Staten Island Railway operates a single commercial line from the St George ferry terminal to the Tottenville neighbourhood. Spanning 14 miles and 21 stations, the line serves the east coast of the island and operates 24 hours a day.

Stations of the SIR

Annadale Station: Located in the South Shore suburb of Annadale, this station has been in operation since 1860. Renovations were carried out in 1960 and 1990. Postcode: 10312.
Bay Terrace Station: Serving the residents of Bay Terrace, this station is located between Justin and South Railroad Avenues. Originally named Whitlock when it opened in 1900, it was renamed after a 1910 renovation. Postcode: 10306.
Clifton Station: Located between Bay Street and Townsend Avenue in the Clifton district, this station has been in operation since 23 April 1860. Postcode: 10304.
Dongan Hills Station: Located between Seaview and North Railroad Avenues in the Dongan Hills area, this station opened in 1860. Postcode: 10304.
Eltingville Station: Located between Richmond Avenue and Eltingville Boulevard in Eltingville, this station has been in operation since 1860 and was rebuilt in 1939. Postcode: 10312.
Great Kills Station: Located between Giffords Lane and Brower Court Roads in the Great Kills neighbourhood, this station opened in 1860, was rebuilt in 1933 and reopened in 1997. Zip code: 10308.
Grant City Station: Located between Lincoln and North Railroad Avenues in the Grant City neighbourhood, this station opened in 1860 but was closed for rebuilding from 1965 to 1968. Zip code: 10306.
Grasmere Station: Situated between Clove Road and Giles Place Road in the Grasmere district, this station has been in operation since 1886. Postcode: 10304.
Huguenot Station: Located between Huguenot Avenue and West Terrace Road in the Huguenot area, this station has been in operation since 1860. Postcode: 10312.
Jefferson Avenue Station: Located between Jefferson and North Railroad Avenues in the Grant City neighbourhood, this station has been in operation since 1937 and was renovated in 1968. Zip code: 10306.
New Dorp Station: Located between New Dorp and North Railroad avenues in the New Dorp neighbourhood, this station has been in operation since 1889 and was renovated in 1968. Postcode: 10306.
Oakwood Heights Station: Located between Guyon and South Railroad avenues in the Oakwood neighbourhood, this station opened in 1860. Zip code: 10306.
Old Town Station: Located between Old Town Road and North Railroad Avenue in Old Town, this station has been in operation since 1937. Postcode: 10304.
Pleasant Plains Station: Located between Penton Street and Amboy Road in the Pleasant Plains neighbourhood, this station has been in operation since 1860. Zip code: 10309.
Prince’s Bay Station: Located between Seguine and Waterbury streets in the Prince’s Bay area, this station has been in operation since 1860. Postcode: 10309.
Richmond Valley Station: Located between Richmond Valley and Amboy Road in the Richmond Valley neighbourhood, this station has been in operation since June 1860. Postcode: 10309.
St. George Station: The northern terminus of the Staten Island Railway, this station is located at One Bay Street in the St. George neighbourhood. Opened in March 1886. Postcode: 10301.
Stapleton Station: Located between Bay and Prospect Streets in the Stapleton neighbourhood, this station opened in 1884 and was rebuilt in 1936. Zip code: 10304.
Tompkinsville Station: Located at Bay Street and Victory Boulevard in the Tompkinsville neighbourhood, this station opened in 1884. Postcode: 10304.
Arthur Kill Station: Located on Arthur Kill Road in the Tottenville neighbourhood, this station, the newest on the line, opened on 21 January 2017.
Tottenville Station: Located between Arthur Kill Road and Bentley Street in the Tottenville neighbourhood, this station has been in operation since 1860. Postcode: 10307.

Connections

Most SIR stations have at least one connecting bus service, serving passengers in areas not served by rail. Here are the connections for each station:

Annadale Station: Connects to the S55 bus service.
Clifton Station: Connects to the S51 and S81 bus services.
Eltingville Station: Connects to services S59, S79, S89, X1, X4 and X5.
Great Kills Station: Connects to bus services S54, X7 and X8.
Grant City Station: Connects to the S51 bus line.
Grasmere Station: Connects to the S53 bus service.
Huguenot Station: Connects to bus routes S55, X17, X19 and X23.
New Dorp Station: Connected by bus lines S57 and S76.
Oakwood Heights station: Connects to the S57 bus line.
Pleasant Plains: Connects to bus line X22.
Prince’s Bay Station: Connects to the S55, S56 and X23 buses.
Richmond Valley Station: Connects to the X22 bus service.
St George Station: Connects to a variety of city bus services including the S40, S42, S44, S46, S48, S51, S52, S61, S62, S66, S74,
S76, S78, intercity bus services S81, S84, S86, S90, S91, S92, S94, S96 and S98 and the St George Ferry Terminal.
Stapleton Station: Connects to bus services S51, S52, S74, S76, S78, S81, S84 and S86.
Tompkinsville Station: Connects to bus services S46, S48, S51, S61, S62, S66, S74, S76, S78, S81, S84, S86, S91, S92, S96 and S98.
Arthur Kill Station: Connects to the S78 bus line.
Tottenville Station: Connect with the S78 bus service.

Schedule

Although the Staten Island Railway is separate from the New York Subway, it maintains a 24-hour service schedule. Trains run at all hours, every day of the week. After 11pm, however, trains run every 30 minutes.

During rush hours (6.15am-8.15am and 4pm-8pm) there is an express service from St George station to Tottenville without stops.

Fares on the SIR

The Staten Island Railway offers a variety of fare plans to meet the different needs of its regular riders.

Passengers can either purchase tickets at station ticket offices and vending machines or use a prepaid MetroCard.

The MetroCard option offers certain benefits such as reduced travel costs and special fares where applicable.

Single trip ticket: This ticket offers a single journey per passenger with no limit on the number of stations travelled. Ideal for infrequent travellers, it costs $3.00 and is only available as a physical ticket.
7-Day: This weekly payment plan is designed for frequent Staten Island Railway riders. It’s a good choice for those staying in the borough for a few days and costs $32.00. This pass is only available with a MetroCard.
30-Day: Ideal for residents who use the train as their primary mode of transportation, this plan offers unlimited travel for one month for $121.00. A MetroCard is required to access this plan.
Single Ticket (Reduced Fare): This option offers a significant discount for riders who qualify for local government benefits. It is priced at $1.35 and includes a single trip.
7-Day (Reduced Fare): This plan allows unlimited travel on SIR for 7 consecutive days. It is only available to groups that have been approved for benefits by local authorities, costs $16.00 and requires a MetroCard.
30-Day (Reduced Fare): This plan allows unlimited travel for 30 days for a single monthly payment of $60.50. It is only available to qualifying groups recognised by local authorities and requires a MetroCard.

Note: Reduced fare benefits are available to persons with disabilities and senior citizens (passengers over 65 years of age).

Regulations

The rules for the Staten Island Railway are designed to ensure the safety of all daily riders. Many subway accidents are caused by people slipping or losing their balance near the tracks, resulting in a fall onto the tracks. Passengers should take the following precautions:

If you drop something on the tracks, do not try to retrieve it. Doing so could result in a fatal accident. Instead, notify the system authorities so they can deal with the situation.
If you’re travelling with children, keep them close and hold their hands at all times.
Avoid leaning over the edge of platforms to check for approaching trains, as this puts your physical safety at risk.
Smoking is forbidden on underground trains and offenders will be punished according to the rules of the system.
Wait for the train to come to a complete stop before attempting to board.
Don’t walk on the edges of the platform as this is a common cause of falls.
When the train stops, watch the gap between the train and the platform to avoid falling.
If you’re carrying a pushchair, make sure it doesn’t obstruct the movement of other passengers.
If you notice suspicious luggage with no apparent owner, move away from it and inform security staff.

Airport Connections

The Staten Island Railway does not have direct service to any of New York City’s six airports. However, it’s possible to get to John F. Kennedy International Airport by public transport from Staten Island.

To get to the airport, first get to the Grasmere train station. From there you can catch the S53 bus which stops at Clove Rd / Grasmere.

After a 20-minute bus ride, you’ll arrive at 4 Av / 86 St. Here you can access the New York Subway 86 St. station, which serves the R line.

Transfer to a train at Atlantic Avenue Barclays Center Station, which connects to the Atlantic Terminal Rail at Hempstead Road. This line runs to Jamaica Station, where you’ll need to quickly catch the AirTrain JFK RedJamaica monorail, which goes directly to the airport.

From Jamaica Station, transfer to the monorail’s Jamaica Station. From there it’s a 10-minute ride to the airport.

Note that John F. Kennedy International Airport has eight terminals, so make sure you get off at the right one.

To get from the airport to Staten Island, follow the same route in reverse. Alternatively, taxis or rental cars are available near the airport terminals for a potentially more comfortable and safer journey.

Future Plans

The Staten Island Railway is considering several projects to improve its service, including upgrading trains that have been in service for more than 20 years.

The company that runs the service wants to upgrade the cars rather than replace them, despite pressure from local authorities to do so. It’s likely that the older carriages will be replaced with new ones by 2023.

Local authorities have also discussed connecting the Staten Island Railway to the New York Subway to make it easier for passengers to travel into the city centre. They’ve proposed building an additional bridge to connect the island with the rest of the boroughs, allowing trains to pass through. Political and economic issues have delayed this project.

Another proposal is to build a new station between Grasmere and Clifton, as that’s the longest distance between stations. This new station would benefit residents of the Rosebank area.

Tourist Attractions

As the least visited borough of New York, Staten Island is often overlooked by tourists. Its residential nature also discourages many from promoting tourism in the area. However, the island has many beautiful and interesting attractions.

A notable attraction on Staten Island is the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, located approximately 140 metres from St George Station, which also operates the ferry terminal of the same name. Although smaller than other stadiums, its facilities are designed to provide visitors with comfort and affordability when it comes to enjoying a live baseball game.