Starting today, December 21st, the peak travel period for Christmas and New Year holidays is expected to begin. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey estimates that from today until January 2nd next year (Thursday), there will be 13.8 million passengers traveling by air or car, potentially setting a new travel record.
During the period from December 21st to January 2nd, the Port Authority anticipates a total of 13.8 million passengers traveling by air or car, with around 5.2 million passengers departing from JFK Airport, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia Airport, and New York Stewart Airport located in Orange County, New York. The peak days are expected to be on December 22nd, 23rd, 27th, and January 2nd. Additionally, it is projected that approximately 8.6 million vehicles will pass through the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels, similar to the number of vehicles from last year.
To alleviate traffic congestion, the Port Authority will suspend all non-essential construction projects from 5 a.m. on December 23rd until 5 a.m. on January 2nd. However, the ongoing $19 billion redevelopment of JFK International Airport will continue. The Port Authority advises domestic flight passengers to arrive at least two hours in advance, while international flight passengers should arrive at least three hours early. To avoid congestion caused by construction at Kennedy Airport, drivers heading to the airport are encouraged to park at the free Lefferts Blvd station of AirTrain and transfer to the airport using the free AirTrain service.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) also stated that adjustments have been made to subway and bus schedules to accommodate the fluctuation in passenger numbers during the holiday season and to facilitate participation in New Year’s Eve events:
(1) Christmas Eve (December 24th): Subways will operate according to a normal weekday schedule. All bus routes in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and some routes in Queens will run on a reduced weekday schedule. Other bus routes in Queens and all bus routes in Staten Island will run on a regular weekday schedule.
(2) Christmas Day: Subways and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule.
(3) New Year’s Eve (December 31st): Subways will run on a normal weekday schedule, with multiple lines, including the S line to Manhattan’s 42nd Street, increasing service frequency until midnight. The A express line will run until 2:45 a.m. the next day to facilitate participation in the Times Square New Year’s Eve event. Similar to Christmas Eve, certain bus routes in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and some routes in Queens will run on a reduced weekday schedule. Other bus routes in Queens will operate on a regular weekday schedule, while Staten Island buses will operate on a “school holiday” schedule. Additionally, some bus routes passing through Times Square may be rerouted due to New Year’s Eve activities.
(4) New Year’s Day: Subways and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule.
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will run on a normal weekday schedule on December 24th and on a Sunday schedule for Christmas Day. Starting in the evening of December 31st, additional trains will be added on several branch lines heading to both the Grand Central Station and Penn Station until 1 a.m. on January 1st to facilitate participation in the Times Square New Year’s Eve event.
For Metro-North Railroad, the three lines east of the Hudson River will operate on a Friday schedule for the week starting on December 23rd, and will switch to a regular weekday schedule during the New Year’s period starting December 30th. From New Year’s Eve to the early hours of New Year’s Day, Metro-North Railroad will increase late-night and post-midnight train services to facilitate participation in the Times Square New Year’s Eve event.
Access-A-Ride will operate around the clock throughout the holiday period.
MTA encourages passengers to use MTA apps, TrainTime apps, or visit the mta.info website for real-time service updates.