Local Transit Authorities Add Services To Handle Holiday Rush
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Thanksgiving weekend is known as one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
To counter this year's rush, local transit agencies have announced additional services to get riders where they need to go.
The Long Island Railroad starts rolling extra trains out on Thanksgiving Eve and continue through Thursday to accommodate riders heading into the city for the Macy's Parade.
The LIRR will run a normal weekday schedule on Black Friday before adding extra trains on both Saturday and Sunday.
Off-peak rates are in effect Thursday through Sunday, and the Saturday and Sunday adjusted service will continue through the holiday season.
Metro-North will start running extra trains at 1 p.m. Wednesday. On Thanksgiving, they will operate a modified weekend schedule with extra inbound trains to accommodate riders heading in to the Macy's Parade.
Black Friday will see a modified Saturday schedule with additional inbound trains in the morning and outbound trains in the morning to accommodate bargain hunters.
Saturday and Sunday will return to normal weekend schedules with additional Shoppers' Specials trains.
New Jersey Transit is offering "early getaway" bus and rail service Wednesday for commuters leaving work early. Additional services will also be provided to customers heading to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Similar to the LIRR and Metro-North, NJ Transit will be offering extra trains and buses to their Thursday morning and midday schedule to accommodate people traveling into the city for the Macy's Parade.
On Black Friday, enhanced bus service will be offered to shopping centers throughout New Jersey.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced Tuesday that service from Journal Square to 33rd Street, closed on weekends since August, will be open and operating throughout the Thanksgiving weekend.
Some experts recommend ditching the paper timetables in favor of any number of available commuter apps for your phone.
Commuter advocate Jim Cameron tells WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau that buying your tickets ahead of time may be your best bet, as there's likely to be a long line of people at the ticket machines.
"Get in, get a seat, get comfy, and left everybody else be the standees," Cameron says.
Cameron adds that passengers can normally board outgoing trains 15 to 20 minutes prior to departure, so it's best to get aboard as early as possible.
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