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December 22, 2020
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MTA: Keep Yourself and Fellow New Yorkers Safe by Avoiding Holiday Travel |
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Service Changes in Effect for Christmas and New Year’s The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is strongly urging customers to adhere to advice from public health experts to avoid travel this Christmas and New Year’s holiday season to best keep themselves, their families and fellow New Yorkers healthy and safe. Service changes in effect for Christmas and New Year’s eve and days are detailed below.
“The holidays are traditionally about gathering with family, but this year, in accordance with CDC guidelines, we are asking the public to avoid unnecessary travel as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the nation,” said Patrick J. Foye, MTA Chairman and CEO. “The MTA will continue to provide clean, safe and reliable service for those who must ride with us and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers in the new year.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is continuing to recommend use of face masks in public, and is providing this guidance to Americans: “The safest way to celebrate winter holidays is to celebrate at home with the people who live with you. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”
The MTA has found that that 97% and 99% of customers are wearing masks on subways and buses, respectively, and 97% of customers are wearing masks on both the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. The MTA’s Mask Force has distributed more than 400,000 free masks to riders since July and 5.8 million masks have been made available at station booths, on board bus dispensers and at other locations.
Service Details
Subways
Buses
Metro-North Railroad
Drinking alcohol on Metro-North trains and in stations is banned from noon New Year's Eve until noon New Year's Day.
Long Island Rail Road
Drinking alcohol on LIRR trains and in stations is banned from noon New Year's Eve until noon New Year's Day.
Bridges and Tunnels
Channels for Service Updates Information about the planned schedule change noted in this press release, and all planned service changes, is available through the MTA’s many real-time service information sources.
MYmta app – Customers who use the comprehensive MYmta smartphone app will see real-time travel information for all MTA services all in one place.
MTA.info–The “Service Status” box at new.MTA.infois always the definitive source for the latest status for each line. Live Subway Map – The MTA launched a public beta of its groundbreaking Live Subway Map on Oct. 20. In its first iteration the Live Subway Map shows the real-time position of trains, planned service changes at any given time, highlight accessible stations, and much more.
Email and text message service updates – Customers are urged to sign up to receive alerts, tailored by specific branch and time of day, by visiting www.MyMTAAlerts.com.
Twitter – Twitter users can follow @MTA, @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus, @LIRR and @MetroNorth to receive dynamic service updates and customer service support.
WhatsApp - NYC Transit recently started using WhatsApp to expand the number of customer service channels available to riders and is especially helpful for non-native English speakers. Riders can receive customer service support in their native language through the help of Google Translate.
These communication channels can be accessed while at home or on the go. For customers who are located at stations, the MTA will post the latest service updates on digital signs at station platforms and will make audio announcements over public address systems, and on-board announcements made by train crews.
For those who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511, the New York State Travel Information Line. For customers calling from Connecticut, the number is: 877-690-5114. 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.
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