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NYC New Year’s Service Updates

December 30, 2021

    MTA service changes: New Year’s

    Whether you’re heading out of town for the holiday or staying in town, your travel plans will likely be affected this week. Here’s what you need to know.
    MTA

    Holiday travel tips

    • If you’re traveling out of LaGuardia Airport, consider using the Q70 SBS LaGuardia Link, which will be free Thursday, December 23, 2021, through Sunday, January 2, 2022. The bus takes travelers from the airport to the at Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av/74 St-Broadway, as well as the  at 61 St-Woodside, and the LIRR at Woodside.
    • If you’re traveling out of JFK or Newark Liberty International Airports, remember that you’ll have to use AirTrain for the last leg of your trip. The AirTrain fare is separate from your MetroCard swipe, and typically costs about $7.75.
    • Check out our Planned Service Changes before heading out to ensure you have the most up-to-date information for your trip.
    • To save time, pre-load your MetroCard or consider using OMNY, our contactless payment system, which is available in all subway stations and on board all buses. Learn more about how OMNY works.
    • Off-peak fares remain in effect on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North.
    • Masks are still required on board all subways, buses, and commuter rail, as well as inside stations. If you don’t have a mask, you can ask a station agent for one. And remember: If you don’t wear one, you may get a $50 fine.

    Service changes

    Buses

    Friday, December 31: Buses will operate on a reduced weekday schedule, with exceptions on some express bus routes.

    A special schedule will be in effect for express bus routes run by the MTA Bus Company; they will be the same as the Express bus service changes on Friday, November 26. All other local, express, limited-stop, and Select Bus Service will run with minor adjustments in departure times.

    • The bus routes that normally have local and limited service will operate with only local service: M1, M4, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q17, Q25, Q27, Q36, Q43, Q46, Q65, Q83, Q85.
    • The following limited-only bus routes will not operate: SIM4X, SIM8X
    • The following express bus routes will not operate: BXM8 City Island service, Super Express trips on routes QM2, QM5, QM8, QM20
    • All service on routes BM1, BM2, BM3, and BM4 will operate via Downtown and Midtown. There will be no Brooklyn-bound service at stops located at Church St/Barclay St, Park Row/Spruce St, and Frankfort St/Pearl St.

    Saturday, January 1: Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule.

    Subways

    Reduced Service: Subways are running less frequently this week. Please check travel information before you go.

    Friday, December 31: Subways will operate on a Saturday schedule.

    Saturday, January 1: Subways will operate on a Saturday schedule.

    Long Island Rail Road

    Friday, December 31: LIRR will operate a regular weekday schedule with 12 extra early-getaway trains departing Penn Station in the afternoon.

    In the evening, LIRR will operate 11 extra westbound trains to Penn Station. The extra trains will depart between 4:55 p.m. and 8:42 p.m. from Babylon, Hempstead, Huntington, Long Beach, Port Washington, and Ronkonkoma.

    After midnight and until 2:30 a.m., LIRR will operate 6 extra eastbound trains departing Penn Station.

    Plan your trip to see the latest schedules.

    Saturday, January 1: LIRR will operate on a regular weekend schedule.

    In the interest of safety, alcohol will not be allowed on LIRR trains, stations or platforms starting at noon on Friday, December 31 until noon Saturday, January 1. MTA Police will enforce this restriction.

    Metro-North Railroad

    Friday, December 31: Metro-North will operate on a regular weekday schedule all lines with additional inbound trains between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Service will run all night on the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven Lines. There will be extra post-midnight trains on the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Lines.

    Saturday, January 1: Starting at 5:30 AM, Metro-North will operate a special schedule with hourly service on the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven Lines, and regular weekend service on branch lines. The Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Lines will operate on a regular weekend schedule.

    NJ Transit 

    On New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule on certain Northeast Corridor morning peak period trains canceled and additional late morning trains operating on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines.  After 8:00 p.m., there will be additional trains to PSNY on the North Jersey Coast Line and the M&E.  Raritan Valley Line trains are extended into PSNY through the night and into New Year’s Day. Certain trains that normally operate from New York, Hoboken and Newark Penn Station just before and after midnight are canceled.

     

    After midnight (early January 1), additional late-night trains will operate on all rail lines, except the Atlantic City Line. Additional trains will depart New York and Hoboken and connecting trains will depart from Newark Broad Street, Summit and Long Branch through the early morning hours. Raritan Valley Line service operates from New York all night. Several trains that normally operate between midnight and 1:30 a.m. are canceled and replaced by later trains. Additional service departing Penn Station New York, Hoboken Terminal and Trenton will operate between midnight and 4:30 a.m. After 6:00 a.m., a regular weekend schedule operates.

     

    Rail travel information for New Year’s Eve will also be available via the Trip Planner and Station-to-Station features on njtransit.com.

    Buses will operate on a Saturday schedule on Friday, December 31. Consult your timetable or visit the Bus Holiday Service Guide for details.

    Expanded bus service will be provided to/from the PABT until approximately 2:00 a.m. Some routes will be departing from alternate areas within the PABT. Visit the Bus Holiday Service Guide for specific schedule details and departure gate assignments.

    Light Rail will operate on a holiday schedule for New Year’s Eve.

    On New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1, after 6:00 a.m., trains will operate on a regular weekend schedule. River LINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Bus service will vary by route. Customers are advised to visit the  Bus Holiday Service Guide for details.

    Important Note:  Customers are required to wear masks while inside waiting rooms and on board all public transit vehicles regardless of physical distance through March 18, 2022 per the Transit Security Administration’s (TSA’s) federal directive.  Eating and drinking on board is prohibited.

     

    Travel tips

     

    • Check Schedules in Advance:  Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
    • Allow Extra Travel Time:  Traffic congestion during the holidays may affect bus travel times to and from New York City, so customers should plan accordingly.
    • Luggage:  Travel as light as possible.  Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces.  On multilevel trains, customers with large bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car.
    • Ticketing:  Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return and use the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, which is available for free download on any web-enabled iOS or Android device, to make the purchase even easier. To make a purchase, customers simply install the app and then create an account, which will securely save a customer’s profile information and purchase history for ease of use. Customers can also use ticket vending machines or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges.  Reminder: Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal must purchase tickets before boarding.

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