Memorial Day 2019 NYC Transit Changes: LIRR, Metro-North, Subway

NEW YORK, NY — The annual Memorial Day exodus from New York City is approaching, and the MTA wants to make it easier for city dwellers to escape to the beach for the three-day weekend.

The MTA will add "getaway train" service on its commuter rail lines such as the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad on Friday. If you wait until Memorial Day, expect to deal with reduced service on the holiday.

There's also good news for drivers. MTA Bridges and Tunnels will suspend scheduled maintenance work starting at 1 p.m. on Friday until the end of the morning rush hour on Tuesday due to an expected increase in congestion on the roads.

Here's a breakdown of this weekend's service changes:

Long Island Rail Road:

• On Friday, May 25, the Long Island Rail Road will add 10 afternoon trains departing Penn Station between 1:59 p.m. and 3:48 p.m.
• On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, the LIRR will operate on a holiday schedule.

Metro-North Railroad:

• On Friday, May 25, Metro-North Railroad will add 17 afternoon trains departing Grand Central Terminal between 12:58 p.m. and 4:11 p.m. Some trains between 5:18 p.m. and 7:28 p.m. will be canceled and combined with the afternoon trains. All extra and canceled trains are shown in the current timetable.
  • Trains will be canceled in the early evening due to a past dip in ridership.
• On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, Metro-North will operate on a Sunday schedule.

New York City Subway:

• On Memorial Day, subdways will operate on a Sunday schedule. Some subway lines do not run on weekends and some trains will have service changes due to pre-scheduled maintenance and infrastructure work.
  • Patch's weekend service advisory will be sent out on Saturday as usual.
• Customers are advised to allow additional travel time on the holiday.

New York City Buses

• On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, New York City buses will operate on a Sunday schedule.