The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is the best way to beat Gridlock Alert Days this holiday season as millions of travelers hit the roads to shop, eat and get to their holiday destinations.

NYC DOT has designated the following Gridlock Alert Days for 2021:

• Wednesday, December 8
• Thursday, December 9
• Wednesday, December 15
• Thursday, December 16
• Friday, December 17
• Wednesday, December 22

Millions of people travel during the holiday season including on mass transit, which means fewer vehicles on the roads. Encouraging the use of mass transit results in less traffic on the roadways consequently reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Every year, the MTA avoids 19 million metric tons of greenhouse gases while emitting only 2 million through its operations. This results in a net 17 million metric ton annual avoidance. Additionally, the MTA helps the 13 million New Yorkers who live in its service area lead carbon-efficient lives helping make New York State have the lowest carbon footprint per capita among the 50 states. This is one of the key benefits of promoting public transportation: it benefits everyone regardless of whether they use it.

MTA Customers can take part in “MTA Away” with discount ticket packages for holiday-themed events including the Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden, ELF The Musical at the Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village, A Charlie Brown Christmas Live at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center or the Palladium Times Square and the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights.

As previously announced, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will offer tickets at off-peak prices at all times through the rest of 2021. 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% off the one-way fare. The ticket can be used by more than one person, even when 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.

The LIRR and Metro-North recommend customers use MTA eTix, the mobile ticketing app, to buy one-way, round-trip, 10-trip, weekly and monthly passes, as well as reduced fare tickets, child and family fare tickets and military tickets, on smartphones or mobile devices.

For real-time service updates and information, rail commuters and motorists can use the following options:

• Check mta.info or the LIRR or Metro-North Train Time apps for updates including modified schedules.
• Follow @MTA and the MTA’s operating agencies on Twitter. Sign up for text message or email alerts at mymtaalerts.com.

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 contact by telephone, information is available from the Metro-North’s Customer Service Center by calling 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.