NYC Transit Thanksgiving 2018 Service Info
Here is the official Thanksgiving 2018 service plan information for MTA NYC Transit Buses & Subways:
New York City Subway: Thanksgiving Day Service
The New York City Subway will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day. The closest subway stations to the start of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are the 72 St
, 79 St
, and 59 St-Columbus Circle
stations.
Additional service on the 42 Street
Shuttle as well as increased early morning service on the
line.
New York City Subway: Vintage Trains Through December
The MTA celebrates the holiday season each year with its “Shoppers Special” vintage subway train, which will run up the Sixth Avenue
New York City Buses: Thursday/Friday Service Details
Buses operated by MTA New York City Transit (NYC Transit) and the MTA Bus Company will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day. Many routes do not operate on Sundays or do not run on part of the route at certain hours. Customers traveling on Thanksgiving Day should check Sunday schedules, lines and routes.
All bus service in Manhattan may experience delays, and will be affected by reroutes, detours, and/or frozen zones, especially those routes operating in Midtown near the parade route such as the BxM2, M5, M7, M10, M11, M20, M31, M34 SBS, M34A SBS, M42, M50, M55, M57, M72, M79 SBS, M104, Q32, QM2, QM4, QM5, and the QM6. The 79 Street Transverse will be closed from 12 noon Wednesday, November 21, to 12 noon Thursday, November 22, and buses will not be permitted to cross during this time. Details will be provided at www.mta.info under “Service Status.”
On Black Friday, November 23, NYC Transit and MTA Bus Company buses will operate on a weekday schedule with some exceptions listed at mta.info. Special schedules are in effect for express bus routes operated by MTA Bus Company. A listing of affected routes and timetables can be found at http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/SpecialBusSchedules_11_2016.htm
Free Q70 Select Bus Service LaGuardia Link
To encourage the use of mass transit and to ease congestion on New York City streets during the Thanksgiving holiday, the MTA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are offering free rides on the Q70 Select Bus Service (SBS) LaGuardia Link from Monday, November 19, to Monday, November 26.
The Q70 SBS connects the
subway lines and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to LaGuardia’s terminals B, C and D, providing a worry-free limited-stop ride with customer amenities designed for travelers. Stops for Q70 SBS LaGuardia Link are distinctly marked outside LIRR’s Woodside Station/61 St-Woodside
Customers boarding at LaGuardia terminals B, C, and D can spot the LaGuardia Link buses via their distinctive blue exterior design and SBS signage. Customers are urged to allow extra time due to ongoing construction near LaGuardia Airport and increased holiday traffic. More information on MTA various services to New York area airports is available here.
Special Overnight Bus and Weekend Subway Service to Jamaica JFK AirTrain
To accommodate critical track renewal work on the
The dates and times of this work are as follows:
- November 20-21, from 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- November 23-26, from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday
- November 27-30, from 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- December 4-7, from 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- December 7-10, from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday
- December 11-14, from 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- December 14-17, from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday
- December 18-21, from 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- December 24-28, from 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- January 14-18, from 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- January 18-21, from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday
In addition to the MYmta smartphone app, customers can check www.mta.info and check out the “Weekender” tab located within the Service Status Menu for Current Service Status on any MTA mode of travel that they plan to use. Remember that TripPlanner+ provides travel information that takes weekend service diversions into account. Customers using bus routes in the five boroughs can also use MTA Bus Time to track real-time bus positions and gauge arrival times.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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LIRR Thanksgiving 2018 Service Info
Here is the official Thanksgiving 2018 service plan information for the MTA Long Island Rail Road:
MTA Long Island Rail Road is giving thanks to our customers this Thanksgiving with additional train service along with off-peak ticket pricing this extended holiday weekend, from November 22-25, 2018.
Starting Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 21: one dozen extra afternoon eastbound trains will run to handle the rush of customers racing home to start the holiday weekend.
Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 22: Extra trains will be available to get customers into the city for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as extra trains to get home following the festivities.
Black Friday, November 23: The LIRR will run a regular weekday schedule this day to accommodate the hordes of shoppers headed for discounts and deals. All day Black Friday, the LIRR will honor all tickets at lower, off-peak fares.
Saturday and Sunday, November 24-25: Still have the urge to get out and about? The LIRR is ramping up extra service on these days, too – the first of six consecutive weekends that the LIRR will bolster service to meet the holiday season demand.
Off-Peak & Family Fares in Effect Thursday, November 22, through Sunday, November 25
In getting with the holiday spirit, the LIRR will offer tickets at off-peak prices over the four-day Thanksgiving holiday starting on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, until Sunday, November 25. The railroad’s Family Fare Discount will also be in effect all four days: children ages 5-11 (limit of four children per fare-paying adult) can ride one-way for $1 each. These tickets must be purchased before boarding the train. Children, as always, under 5 ride for free.
Service details follows by day:
Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 21
12 extra trains will depart Penn Station in the afternoon, as follows.
Babylon Branch:
2:22 p.m. express to Rockville Centre, then local to Babylon.
2:32 p.m. express to Lynbrook, then local to Babylon.
3:00 p.m. stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then local to Babylon.
3:31 p.m. express to Rockville Centre, then local to Babylon.
Far Rockaway Branch:
3:48 p.m. express to Locust Manor, then all stops to Far Rockaway.
Montauk Branch:
4:06 p.m. to Westhampton, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Montauk.
Port Jefferson Branch:
2:08 p.m. to Jamaica, Mineola, then local to Huntington.
2:29 p.m. to Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then local to Huntington.
3:24 p.m. to Jamaica, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville.
Port Washington Branch:
3:40 p.m. to Woodside, Flushing Main Street, then all stops to Great Neck.
Ronkonkoma Branch:
12:46 p.m. to Woodside, Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, then all stops to Ronkonkoma.
1:49 p.m. to Woodside, Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, then all stops to Ronkonkoma.
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22
On Thanksgiving Day, the LIRR is running on a weekend/holiday schedule supplemented with 17 extra trains timed perfectly for those attending the Thanksgiving Day Parade or otherwise visiting the city. There will be six extra westbound trains in the morning and 11 extra eastbound trains in the afternoon. Coach cars will be added to select trains as the demand requires to accommodate holiday travelers.
Westbound – Six Extra Trains Heading into Penn Station
Babylon Branch:
The 6:38 a.m. train from Babylon, making all stops to Rockville Center, then Jamaica, and Penn Station.
The 7:38 a.m. train from Babylon, making all stops to Rockville Centre, then Jamaica and Penn Station.
Montauk Branch:
The 6:20 a.m. train from Speonk, making all stops to Babylon, Jamaica and Penn Station.
Port Jefferson Branch:
The 6:01 a.m. train from Port Jefferson making all stops to Huntington, then stopping at Jamaica and Penn Station.
Ronkonkoma Branch:
The 6:10 a.m. train from Ronkonkoma, making all stops to Hicksville, then Jamaica, Woodside and Penn Station.
The 7:10 a.m. train from Ronkonkoma, making all stops to Hicksville, then Jamaica, Woodside and Penn Station.
Eastbound – 11 Extra Trains Departing from Penn Station
Babylon Branch:
The 11:29 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 12:39 p.m. and 1:09 p.m. trains stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all local stops to Babylon.
Montauk Branch:
The 12:09 p.m. train to Jamaica, Freeport, then all stops to Speonk.
Port Jefferson Branch:
The 12:05 p.m. to Jamaica, New Hyde Park and all stops to Huntington.
The 12:20 p.m. to Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, then all stops to Port Jefferson.
Ronkonkoma Branch:
The 11:35 a.m. to Woodside, Jamaica, Hicksville, Bethpage Farmingdale then all stops to Ronkonkoma except Pinelawn.
The 12:35 p.m. to Woodside, Jamaica, Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, then all stops to Ronkonkoma except Pinelawn.
The 1:03 p.m. to Woodside, Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Farmingdale.
The 1:35 p.m. to Woodside, Jamaica, Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, then all stops to Ronkonkoma, except Pinelawn.
Black Friday, November 23
LIRR trains will operate on a normal weekday schedule on Friday, November 23, with off-peak fares in effect the entire day.
Saturday & Sunday, November 24-25
Beginning this weekend, the LIRR is offering extra train service and seating capacity on weekends through the entire holiday season for your shopping, dining, sightseeing and entertainment pleasure. The LIRR is adding four morning westbound trains and six afternoon eastbound trains to its regular weekend schedule starting Saturday, November 24, and Sunday, November 25, and the weekends of December 1-2, December 8-9, December 15-16, December 22-23 and December 29–December 30.
The extra weekend trains are as follows:
Babylon Branch:
Eastbound: The 1:13 a.m. from Penn Station, stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre and then all
stops to Babylon.Long Beach Branch:
Westbound: The 8:54 a.m., 9:54 a.m., 10:54 a.m. and 11:54 a.m. trains from Long Beach making all local stops to Jamaica, then express to Penn Station.
Eastbound: The 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. trains from Penn Station, stopping at Jamaica and making all local stops to Long Beach.
Port Jefferson Branch:
Eastbound: The 2:44 a.m. from Penn Station stopping at Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Huntington.
xoxo Transit Bloggger
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Metro North Thanksgiving 2018 Service Info
Here is the official Thanksgiving 2018 service plan information for the MTA Metro-North Railroad:
Avoid the traffic, save money, ride with family and friends, and make travel on MTA Metro-North Railroad part of your Thanksgiving holiday plans. The Railroad is providing special service and extra trains throughout the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Off-peak fares will be in effect on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, through Sunday, November 25, and customers can take advantage of free parking at many stations.
Customers are encouraged to buy tickets in advance, and those traveling into Manhattan can purchase a 10-trip off-peak ticket to save 30 to 40 percent off the one-way fare. The 10-trip ticket can be used by more than one person, even when you are traveling together. The Family Fare costs $1 per ticket for up to four children (ages 5 to 11) when they are traveling with a fare-paying adult.
A Thanksgiving weekend timetable is available at Grand Central Terminal and outlying stations.
Customers can also find East of Hudson holiday schedule information online at: http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/thanksgiving2018.htm
West of Hudson holiday schedule information is available online at: http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/wohthanksgiving2018.htm
Wednesday, November 21, the Day Before Thanksgiving
Historically, the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year for Metro-North customers. On Wednesday, November 22, there will be 18 early getaway trains that depart Grand Central Terminal during the mid-day. The extra service includes five extra trains on the Hudson Line between 1:38 p.m. and 4:11 p.m., three additional trains on the Harlem Line between 2:15 p.m. and 3:34 p.m., and ten extra trains on the New Haven Line between 12:58 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Times are shown in the current timetables. Due to the busier mid-day travel patterns, some evening trains may be canceled or combined, so customers are advised to double-check timetables, apps or web before traveling.
For West-of-Hudson customers, early getaway trains will operate on both the Port Jervis Line and Pascack Valley Line on Wednesday, November 21.
On the Port Jervis Line, the 2:41 p.m. train from Hoboken to Middletown (with a connection departing New York Penn Station at 2:33 p.m.) is extended to Port Jervis. The 6:15 p.m. departure from Hoboken (6:03 p.m. train from Penn Station-NY) will not operate.
On the Pascack Valley Line, there will be a 2:58 p.m. departure from Hoboken (with a connection departing New York’s Penn Station at 2:51 p.m.) making select stops in New Jersey before arriving at Pearl River, Nanuet and Spring Valley. To accommodate this train, the 5:58
p.m. departure from Hoboken (5:51 p.m. connection from Penn Station-NY) will not operate.Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22
Metro-North will provide additional inbound morning service for customers heading to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which kicks off at 9 a.m. at 77th Street and Central Park West and ends in front of Macy’s at Herald Square (34th Street). There is also expanded outbound service starting in the late morning and continuing through mid-afternoon. Customers leaving New York after the parade must show a ticket before boarding trains at Grand Central or Harlem-125th Street Station. On this day last year, about 30,000 customers departed Grand Central between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Finally, there will be extra trains in the evening for customers returning to New York City after their Thanksgiving feasts.
West of Hudson, a regular holiday/weekend schedule is in effect for the Port Jervis Line and Pascack Valley Line, with one additional round trip on the Port Jervis Line (shown in the October 29 NJ Transit timetable). Parade-goers can take a 6:22 a.m. departure from Port Jervis arriving in Hoboken at 8:30 a.m. (a connection at Secaucus Junction arrives at New York Penn Station at 8:39 a.m.). After the parade, there is a 12:21 p.m. departure from Hoboken (12:14 p.m. from New York Penn Station) that operates express to Suffern before making all stops to Port Jervis.
Friday, November 23, the Day After Thanksgiving
On Friday, November 23, Metro-North will operate on an expanded Saturday schedule with additional inbound service in the morning and outbound service in the afternoon to accommodate the Friday workforce and Black Friday shoppers, as well as half-hourly service on the Harlem Line to/from North White Plains. West of Hudson, a regular weekday schedule is in effect for Friday, November 23.
Saturday and Sunday (Thanksgiving Weekend)
Metro-North will round out the holiday weekend schedule with extra trains and additional cars on existing trains. Service on Saturday, November 24, features upper Hudson and outer New Haven Line Shoppers’ Special service. On Sunday, November 25, trains run on a normal half hourly schedule featuring outer New Haven Line Shoppers’ Specials. A regular weekend schedule is in effect on Saturday, November 24, and Sunday, November 25, for the Port Jervis Line and Pascack Valley Line.
Off Peak & Family Fares in Effect Thursday, November 22 through Sunday, November 25
Customers are encouraged to buy tickets in advance, and those traveling into Manhattan can purchase a ten-trip off-peak ticket to save 30 to 40 percent off the one-way fare. The ticket can be used by more than one person, even when you are traveling together. The “Family Fare” costs $1 per ticket for up to four children (ages 5 to 11) when they are traveling with a fare paying adult. Metro-North recommends customers use MTA eTtix®, the mobile ticketing app that enables you to purchase one-way, round trip, ten trip, weekly and monthly passes, as well as reduced fare tickets, child and family fare tickets and military tickets, on your smartphone or mobile device.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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S.I. Railway Thanksgiving 2018 Service Info
Here is the official Thanksgiving 2018 service plan information for the MTA Staten Island Railway:
Staten Island Railway customers looking to get a head start on the Thanksgiving Day holiday will be able to catch earlier afternoon express train service on Wednesday, November 21, with MTA Staten Island Railway’s Early Departure Getaway schedule. Extra SIR trains will be added earlier in the afternoon beginning at 2:30 p.m. from the St. George Ferry Terminal. There will be one express train and one local train awaiting every boat until 7:50 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, SIR will operate on a Saturday schedule.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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Second Avenue Subway Reaches Milestone
For all intents & purposes, the first phase of the MTA’s Second Avenue Subway has been a success. Ridership continues to grow while helping ease the crowding issues that were happening along the Lexington Avenue lines.
Yesterday afternoon, the MTA announced that it had reached a major milestone for phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway which calls for it to be extended north to 125th Street. Here are more details via the press release the agency sent me:
Nov. 19, 2018 (New York, NY) – The MTA announced today that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, issued a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI) for Phase II of the Second Avenue Subway project, based on review of the Supplemental Environmental Assessment prepared for the project.
This phase of the project will extend the
train line from its current terminus at 96th Street and Second Avenue, north to 125th Street, then west to Lexington and Park Avenues, where it will connect with the
,
, and
trains and the Metro-North Railroad. Three new stations will be built at 106th Street and Second Avenue, 116th Street and Second Avenue, and 125th Street and Lexington Avenue. Tail tracks, where trains will be stored prior to heading back south, will continue west just past Lenox Avenue.
“This is an important milestone that puts us a step closer to providing a long-overdue subway to serve the people of East Harlem,” said MTA Chief Development Officer Janno Lieber. “With the environmental approval in place, we can move into a new phase in the effort to secure Federal funding for this important project. It’s urgent to build Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 so East Harlem can begin to receive the same benefits Phase 1 has delivered for the Upper East Side.”
“Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway is a transportation option that has been long overdue for the residents and businesses of East Harlem,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “I am delighted that the project is gaining momentum thanks to our collective efforts at the city, state, and federal levels. I will continue my push in Congress to call for the continuation of support to expand the Second Avenue Subway to secure equitable transportation and accessibility for the residents of East Harlem once and for all.”
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney said: “This finding is a major step forward toward making Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway a reality,” “Phase 2 will make it much easier to commute to and from East Harlem, and to access Metro North and the LaGuardia bus at 125th Street. We have already seen the extraordinary success of Phase 1, and the MTA must move forward as quickly as possible to build the full-length Second Avenue Subway up to 125th Street and then down to lower Manhattan.”
“For residents of East Harlem, Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway will bring much-needed relief from overcrowded trains and lack of access to the Lexington Avenue line,” said Senator José M. Serrano. “The community has been eagerly anticipating this transportation option, and the FTA’s finding is an important step toward ensuring that those who live and work in the area can benefit from the new line as soon as possible.”
“The first phase of the Second Avenue Subway provided many lessons in partnering with the surrounding community to assure the viability of existing businesses and the quality of life of residents that will be most affected. Today’s finding from the FTA is a positive step forward to ensuring that Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway will receive federal funding. While as a community we will have major disruptions throughout its construction, the Second Avenue Subway will bring transit equity to East Harlem and provide much-needed congestion relief to the
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said: “The FTA’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), released today, isn’t quite true—it doesn’t mention the positive impacts. Increased city and regional transit access, shortened commutes, and reduced overcrowding on the Lexington Ave Line are all reasons why the Phase II extension of the Second Avenue Subway into East Harlem will have a tremendously positive and significant impact.”
“I am thrilled the MTA will be moving into Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway expansion, which will increase transportation options for East Harlem residents and broaden their access to educational and employment opportunities,” said Council Member Diana Ayala. “I look forward to working alongside my community, the MTA, and all other stakeholders to ensure key community needs are addressed in the rollout of this phase.”
“East Harlem has been in a transit desert for far too long,” Council Member Bill Perkins. “The Second Avenue Subway extension to 125th Street and Lexington Avenue is not a convenience for our residents – it is a necessity. I call on the Federal Government to provide their share of the funding necessary to get this project underway.”
The FONSI was issued after an extensive update of the original Environmental Impact Statement prepared in 2004. The finding means that changes to the design of the project since that time were found to have no additional significant adverse impact on the environment in the construction area.
In connection with the Supplemental Environmental Assessment, the MTA conducted a robust public outreach program, which included numerous meetings with and presentations to Community Boards 11 and 10, elected officials, business and residential groups and other major stakeholders. A 30-day public comment period was conducted, during which the MTA accepted comments on the Assessment and held a meeting on July 31st, where the public had the opportunity to present comments verbally. The public comment period and meeting were advertised in six local newspapers, including Spanish language publications. Responses to all comments are contained in the FONSI.
Phase II of the project will provide a number of benefits for the East Harlem community, much of which sits in a “transit desert” with few public transportation choices. The new service will also stimulate the local economy, create thousands of jobs, cut commute time by up to 20 minutes a day, and further reduce crowding on the Lexington Avenue line. Phase I of the Second Avenue Subway, which began service on January 1, 2017, reduced crowding at parallel stations on the
The milestone is pretty significant for the much needed completion of the project. Let us hope the agency will be able to get it done in a timely manner as the sooner the better.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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