The NYC MTA Holiday Schedule for 2024 is officially out, so if you’re staying in the city (or within the general vicinity) this December, you’ll have to be mindful of a few changes.
A record 119 million Americans will be traveling this season, and the Port Authority’s End-of-Year Travel Advisory indicates that nearly 14 million passengers will be utilizing its airports and vehicular crossings. Wowza!
As you’re out and about, perusing holiday markets, picking up treats for dinner, or stopping by Mom and Dad’s, here’s what you need to know about the travel situation, according to the MTA.
NYC MTA holiday schedule 2024: see the changes
New York City Subway
Christmas Eve: On Tuesday, December 24th, New York City subways will operate on a regular weekday schedule
Christmas Day: On Wednesday, December 25th, New York City subways will operate on a Sunday schedule
New Year’s Eve : On Tuesday, December 31st, New York City subways will operate on a regular weekday schedule, with increased service on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, C, D, G, L, N, Q, R and 42 St Shuttle in the evening into post-midnight hour. The A train will be running express until 2:45 a.m.
New Year’s Day : On Wednesday, January 1st, New York City subways will operate on a Sunday schedule
New York City Buses & Access-A-Ride
Christmas Eve: On Tuesday, December 24th, bus routes in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan and some bus routes in Queens are operating on a reduced weekday schedule, while other routes in Queens are operating a regular weekday schedule; buses on Staten Island will operate on a weekday schedule
Christmas Day: On Wednesday, December 25th, buses in all five boroughs will run on a Sunday schedule
New Year’s Eve : On Tuesday, December 31st, bus routes in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan and some bus routes in Queens are operating on a reduced weekday schedule, while other routes in Queens are operating a regular weekday schedule; buses on Staten Island will operate on a weekday school closed schedule; bus routes in and around Midtown are subject to detours around road closures.
New Year’s Day : On Wednesday, January 1st, buses in all five boroughs will operate on a Sunday schedule
According to the MTA, Paratransit will operate full 24/7 service throughout the holidays. Due to the traffic and street closures, travelers should expect potential delays and possibly plan for alternate pickup or drop off locations.
Long Island Rail Road
Christmas Eve: On Tuesday, December 24th, all LIRR trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule
Christmas Day: On Wednesday, December 25th, all LIRR trains will operate on a Sunday schedule
New Year’s Eve : On Tuesday, December 31st, there will be a total of 11 additional LIRR trains on the Babylon, Montauk, Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson, and Port Washington branches to Grand Central Madison or Penn Station beginning in the early evening to accommodate riders heading into the city.
New Year’s Day : On Wednesday, January 1st, all LIRR trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. There will be a total of 12 additional trains beginning in the early overnight hours to accommodate riders heading back to Long Island from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison. Additionally, the LIRR will provide extra pre and post-event service to and from Elmont-UBS Arena for the Billy Joel concert scheduled for New Year’s Eve.
Metro-North Railroad
Christmas Week: Beginning Monday, December 23rd, Metro-North will operate on a Friday schedule on the three East of Hudson lines, with extra mid-day and mid-afternoon service. On Christmas Day, Metro-North will operate hourly service with regular weekend service on the Wassaic, Danbury and Waterbury branches.
On the West of Hudson Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines, Metro-North will operate on a regular weekday schedule each day with some service adjustments on Christmas Eve and a weekend schedule on Christmas Day.
New Year’s Week: Beginning Monday, December 30th, Metro-North will operate on a regular weekday schedule on the three East of Hudson lines with extra late-evening and post-midnight service on New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s morning.
On New Year’s Day, Metro-North will operate hourly service, with extra trains on the New Haven Line, and regular weekend service on the Wassaic, Danbury and Waterbury branches. The West of Hudson Lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule, with extra service in the late evening and after midnight on New Year’s Eve, and a weekend schedule on New Year’s Day.
Bridges & Tunnels
Christmas Week: Temporary daytime road closures at all MTA Bridges and Tunnels will end at 3pm on Monday, December 23rd. There will be no road closures permitted on Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th. On Thursday, December 26th, roadwork may resume and soft lane closures may be implemented in the off-peak direction during the morning rush hour.
New Year’s Eve Week: Temporary daytime road closures at all MTA Bridges and Tunnels will end at 1pm on Tuesday, December 31st through Thursday, January 2nd, 2025. On Thursday, January 2nd, roadwork may resume and soft lane closures may be implemented in the off-peak direction during the morning rush hour.
For more information on these schedules and changes, visit the MTA website.