The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is reminding customers that public transit is the best way to travel during the upcoming holiday season – especially on the 15 upcoming Gridlock Alert days beginning tomorrow, Nov. 20. The MTA is ready to bring customers to the region’s most exciting events including the Grand Central Holiday Fair, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting and more.
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) designates the days expected to experience the heaviest volume of traffic as Gridlock Alert Days. On those days, drivers are strongly advised to use alternative modes of transportation including subways, commuter railroads and buses. The first Gridlock Alert Day of the holiday season is Wednesday, Nov. 20 which will be followed by 14 more days through the end of 2024.
“New York City Transit provides the fastest, most reliable, and affordable means to get around the city all year round,” said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “Take the subway or bus to avoid the gridlock and enjoy all the great offerings the city has to offer this time of the year.”
“Metro-North is the best way to get to your holiday destinations safely, smoothly, and efficiently,” said Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “Riders have direct access to wonderful events like the holiday fair at Grand Central, all without the hassle of traffic.”
“Save yourself the frustration of being stuck in your car and enjoy the fastest and most convenient way to travel into the city during the holiday season,” said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free. “At record-levels of on time performance, the LIRR will continue to provide plenty of service that Long Islanders can count on.”
Gridlock Alert days are:
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Wednesday, Nov. 20
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Thursday, Nov. 21
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Friday, Nov. 22
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Tuesday, Nov. 26
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Tuesday, Dec. 3
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Wednesday, Dec. 4
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Thursday, Dec. 5
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Friday, Dec. 6
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Tuesday, Dec. 10
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Wednesday, Dec. 11
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Thursday, Dec. 12
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Friday, Dec. 13
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Tuesday, Dec. 17
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Wednesday, Dec. 18
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Thursday, Dec. 19
Customers are reminded of the many ways to travel to events including holiday fairs and holiday lightings in Manhattan.
Trains on the lines combined run every two and a half to three minutes during rush hours and every four minutes throughout the day and take 15 minutes to travel between 59th Street and Wall Street.
Trains on the line run every two to two and a half minutes during rush hours and every four to five and a half minutes throughout the day and take just nine minutes to travel between Times Square and Long Island City’s Vernon Blvd – Jackson Av Station.
Along Queens Blvd and 53rd Street, trains on the E line run combined every two and a half to three minutes during rush hour and every three to four and a half minutes throughout the day and take just 18 minutes to travel between Forest Hills and Lexington Avenue.
Trains on the lines combined run every three and a half to four and a half minutes during rush hour and every four minutes throughout the day and take just eight minutes to travel between Herald Square and Canal Street.
Riders can also take advantage of Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Madison and Penn Station and Metro-North service to Grand Central Terminal.
During peak morning times, trains take just 35-40 minutes to travel between Mineola Station and Manhattan. Trains take just 70 minutes to travel between Babylon Station and Manhattan and depart every 15 – 20 minutes.
Express trains from Stamford depart every 10 minutes or less during rush hours and take under an hour to get to Grand Central.
Express trains from White Plains depart every 10 – 15 minutes during rush hours and take 45 minutes to get to Grand Central.
The MTA offers customers a variety of ways to receive real-time and planned service change information, as well as 24/7 customer support in their native language.
MTA app – Customers who use the comprehensive MTA smartphone app will see real-time travel information for all MTA services all in one place.
new.mta.info – The “Service Status” box at new.mta.info is always the definitive source for the latest status for each line.
Email/Text Alerts and Weekly Newsletter – Customers can sign up for email and SMS alerts tailored to their specific commutes and travel times. They can also sign up for MTA newsletters like The Weekender, a weekly newsletter that covers major weekend planned service changes. Sign up here.
X.com – X.com users can follow @MTA, @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus, @LIRR, and @MetroNorth for service updates and customer service support.
WhatsApp – Riders can chat with NYC Transit via WhatsApp for 24/7 customer assistance. With the help of Google Translate, NYC Transit staff offer real-time customer support in up to 108 languages.
511 – For those who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.