Trains and buses operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will operate on special schedules on Wednesday, November 26, through Sunday, November 30, to accommodate the unique travel demands of Thanksgiving weekend. During the same time period, MTA Bridges and Tunnels will suspend maintenance at its nine crossings to facilitate increased travel. Details for each of the MTA’s services follow.
Metro-North Railroad
On Wednesday, November 26, 22 early getaway trains depart Grand Central between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and early getaway trains will operate on both the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines. On Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27), there are extra inbound trains for those heading to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Holiday Parade.
On the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 28, also known as Black Friday, Metro-North will operate on a Saturday schedule with additional inbound trains in the morning and outbound trains in the afternoon to accommodate all those shoppers and those folks who must work on Friday.
Finally, on Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30 we will provide regular weekend schedules with the usual Shoppers’ Specials trains, 13 on Saturday and four on Sunday.
New York City Subways and Buses
New York City subways and buses 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 1 at 79 St and the C at 81 St. There will be additional service on the S 42 St Shuttle as well as increased early morning service on the 1 line. A number of bus routes will be impacted by the parade, and details will be provided at www.mta.info under “Service Status.” On Black Friday, November 28, service will operate on a weekday schedule with some exceptions listed at mta.info.
Long Island Rail Road
On Wednesday, November 26, the LIRR will operate nine extra afternoon eastbound trains from Penn Station to handle the expected getaway day rush home. On Thanksgiving Day, there are extra trains to get you to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and extra trains to get you home when the festivities are over.
On Black Friday, November 28, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, the LIRR will run on a regular weekday schedule, but tickets will be sold at the lower, off-peak fares.
There will be extra trains on Saturday and Sunday, November 29-30 as well, making travel to and from New York City, a snap for shopping, dining and entertainment.
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 26 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.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
To ease travel for its customers this Thanksgiving, routine maintenance and temporary construction work at all MTA Bridges and Tunnels crossings will be suspended beginning 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26 through early morning on Monday, December 1.
For more information, visit mta.info/mnr
