Shuttle to serve Belmont patrons

New York racing fans affected by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's decision to scrap service from Penn Station to Belmont Park now have an alternate means of getting to the track.

The New York Racing Association will provide free shuttle bus service between the Queens Village station and Belmont Park beginning with Wednesday's opening-day card.

The shuttles will leave the corner of Springfield Boulevard and Jamaica Aveune at 12:30 p.m., while return service will be provided 15 minutes after the last live race. There will be drop-off and pickup points at both the clubhouse and grandstand entrances at Belmont.

Because of budget cuts, the transit authority scrapped the "Belmont Special" with the exception of the Saturdays of May 30 and June 6 (Belmont Stakes Day).

"Shuttle service is a way to accommodate those who depended on the train to bring them directly to Belmont Park," said Kenneth Cook, NYRA's vice president of security.