Long Island, NY - July 2nd, 2013 - The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will offer extra railroad service on Wednesday, July 3, to allow customers to get a head start on the Fourth of July holiday. On Thursday, July 4, subways and buses will operate on a Saturday schedule, and the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and Staten Island Railway will operate on a Sunday schedule. More details are below.

Long Island Rail Road & Metro-North Railroad
The LIRR and Metro-North will provide additional early-afternoon service from Manhattan on Wednesday, July 3, for customers planning an early getaway for the start of the Independence Day holiday. Twenty-three extra trains will depart Grand Central Terminal between noon and 4 p.m., and 8 extra trains will depart from Penn Station between 2 and 4 p.m. Train service that normally operates to the Hamptons and Montauk only on Fridays, including The Cannonball, will also on Wednesday, July 3.

For more details, please see the attached press releases from the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.

New York City Subway
On Thursday, July 4, subways will operate on a Saturday schedule. There will be increased subway service on the 1, 2, A, C, E, L and 42nd Street Shuttle  prior to and following the Macy’s fireworks celebration, which will originate from four barges located on the Hudson River between 24th and 42nd Streets from 9:20 p.m. to 9:55 p.m.

New York City Buses
Buses operated by MTA New York City Transit and the MTA Bus Company will operate on a Saturday schedule on Thursday, July 4. There are many routes that either do not operate on Saturdays or do not run on part of the route at certain hours. Customers traveling on the Fourth of July should check Saturday schedules, lines and routes.

Staten Island Railway
Staten Island Railway customers looking to get a head start on the Fourth of July holiday will be able to catch earlier afternoon express train service on Wednesday, July 3 with MTA Staten Island Railway’s Early Departure Getaway schedule. Extra SIR trains will be added earlier in the afternoon beginning at 2:30 p.m. from the St. George Ferry Terminal. There will be one express train and one local train awaiting every boat until 7:50 p.m. On the Fourth of July, SIR will operate on a Sunday schedule. Staten Island Railway is prepared to add additional service prior to and after the fireworks, as needed.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels
To help smooth travel for drivers, MTA Bridges and Tunnels will suspend all routine construction work at its seven bridges and two tunnels beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, through the July Fourth holiday.