NEW YORK – The MTA on Tuesday announced subway, bus and rail service changes related to Christmas and New Year.
Patrick Foye, president and CEO of the traffic authority, also urged residents to follow the advice of health experts and government officials this holiday season and stay home.
“Holidays are traditionally about reuniting with family, but this year, according to CDC guidelines, we are asking the public to avoid unnecessary travel, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the nation,” he said. Foyes said in a statement Tuesday. “The MTA will continue to provide a clean, safe and reliable service for those who need to travel with us and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers in the new year.”
If you need to travel, remember to wear a mask. Facial coatings are mandatory on buses, trains, subways and station platforms.
Here is a breakdown of changes in holiday service.
Subway
- The metros will run regularly on weekdays on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
- Subways will run on Sundays and the Staten Island Railroad will run on Saturdays on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- The metro system is closed daily from 1 to 5 in the morning for disinfection of cars and stations.
Buses
- On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, buses to Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens will operate on a reduced schedule during the week. Buses to Staten Island will run during school hours on weekdays.
- On Christmas and New Year’s Day, buses from the five districts will run on Sundays.
Metro-North Railway
- Trains will run regularly on weekdays on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Low rates remain in effect at all times on the East of Hudson service. Maximum and low fare rules remain in effect at West of Hudson.
- On Christmas and New Year’s Day, Metro-Nord trains will operate on a regular weekend / holiday schedule. Trains do not operate between the southeast and Wassaic on weekends and do not operate on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Low rates are valid throughout the day on both East Hudson and West Hudson services.
- Drinking alcohol on Metro-Nord trains and stations is prohibited from 12 noon on New Year’s Eve until 12 noon on New Year’s Day.
Long Island Railroad
- Trains will run on regular weekdays on Christmas Eve and on public holidays / weekends on Christmas Day.
- The LIRR will operate with a regular schedule on weekdays on New Year’s Eve and with a festive / weekend schedule on New Year’s Day.
- Drinking alcohol on LIRR trains and stations is prohibited from 12 noon on New Year’s Eve until 12 noon on New Year’s Day.
Bridges and tunnels
- MTA bridges and tunnels will suspend all lane closures related to routine maintenance and temporary construction work from 2pm on Wednesday 23 December and from 1pm on Thursday 31 December, except the Verrazzano- Narrows, where it is outside -Maximum lane closures are required with minimal impact on traffic to support ongoing critical work.
- Any extraordinary weather / critical work to be carried out during the holiday weekend will only occur during the night hours when traffic is lighter.