Port Authority Issues Holiday Travel Forecast

On Dec 21, 2021

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that nearly 15 million air passengers and vehicles are expected to use its airports and vehicular crossings from Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, through Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

The agency estimates that nearly 10 million vehicles will use its bridges and tunnels over that 15-day period, which would be similar to vehicular volume over the same pre-pandemic holiday period in 2019 in keeping with recent traffic trends. All lane closures for non-emergency construction at its crossings will be suspended through this duration of anticipated significant vehicular volume.

Nearly 5 million air passengers are expected to use the agency’s airports during the same 15-day period, which would be approximately 84% of air passenger volume during the same period in 2019 before the pandemic when nearly 6 million travelers used Port Authority’s airports during the two weeks and the Christmas and New Year holidays. Volume at Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia airports is expected to be particularly robust this holiday travel season due to strong domestic leisure travel demand, with the number of Newark passengers anticipated to be just 7% lower and LaGuardia passenger volume about 13% lower than the 2019 holidays.

With the return of higher traffic volumes, the Port Authority strongly encourages all travelers to allow for additional travel time. Domestic air travelers should arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance of their departure time and international air travelers should arrive at the airport at least three hours in advance of their departure times.

All travelers are strongly advised to check the Port Authority’s air travel tips for information on preparing for their trips, including how to find real-time wait time information for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security lines, information on parking lot availability, AirTrain maps and schedules, directions for public transit, for-hire vehicle information, and COVID-19 testing. The Port Authority encourages anyone going to the airports to make parking reservations ahead of time or plan to take public transit.

Airports & AirTrain:

• From 12:01 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, the Port Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will provide free LaGuardia Link Q70 bus service to encourage the use of mass transit to and from the airport.
• At all hours, free shuttle buses operate between all LaGuardia Airport terminals for passengers and employees making terminal connections.
• Due to ongoing construction at Newark Liberty International Airport for a new state-of-the-art Terminal A, all airline passengers departing from Terminal A are urged to arrive no later than two hours prior to scheduled departure times.

Bridges & Tunnels:

• From 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, non-emergency construction work is suspended at all Port Authority crossings, including overnight closures related to the Superstorm Sandy repair and resiliency project at the Holland Tunnel.
• At 3 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, new toll rate adjustments ranging from 50 cents to $3 will go into effect for Class 8 and 9 vehicles at the Port Authority’s crossings. The vehicular classes affected by this inflation-based change, which was previously approved by the Port Authority Board in 2019, include any vehicle with two or more axles designed with a seating capacity of 10 or more persons, including the driver. They include but are not limited to buses, minibuses, vans and limousines. For more information, including the previously announced rate changes and the full timeline of regularly scheduled bus toll adjustments that were approved in 2019, visit www.panynj.gov/BusTolls.

Midtown Bus Terminal & George Washington Bus Station:

• From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec.21, both bus facilities will host their monthly free mask giveaways to remind the traveling public that federal regulations require face coverings while indoors on public transit, including on buses and inside Port Authority facilities.
• Customers should check for the most updated trip departure times and itineraries with their individual bus carriers, some of which may be operating holiday service or reduced schedules.

PATH:

• On Friday, Dec, 24, and on Friday, Dec. 31, PATH service will operate on its regular weekday schedule.
• On Christmas Day and on New Year’s Day, which fall on Saturdays this holiday season, PATH will operate on its regular Saturday schedule.
• Over the Christmas and New Year weekends, PATH will operate on its regular weekend schedule. For additional information on PATH service and train schedules, visit www.panynj.gov/StayOnTrack or download the PATH mobile app, RidePath.
• The southwest entrance to the PATH Harrison station remains closed at all hours to accommodate demolition work ahead of a renovation of the station. During construction, riders are required to use traffic signal pedestrian crossings at Angelo Cifelli Drive and Guyon Drive to access a corresponding station house on the opposite side of Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard.
• Customers who use the WTC PATH station during overnights should use the street level entrances at Fulton Street or Vesey Street via the North Concourse in the 2 World Trade Center Transit Lobby. Oculus access is limited overnight from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow for enhanced cleaning and the safety and security of customers due to reduced traffic volumes. All other entrances will be closed. For more updates on the WTC campus, click here.

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

• As a reminder for any passengers or motorists traveling through Port Authority facilities, some restrictions and service changes remain in place to protect the health and safety of employees and the public. Face coverings continue to be required for anyone using Port Authority facilities, including PATH trains and indoor PATH stations; the World Trade Center transportation hub; the Midtown Bus Terminal and George Washington Bridge Bus Station; the Port Authority’s airports and on both AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark. Click here for the Port Authority’s COVID19-related safety rules and information by facility.
• In accordance with updated U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, masks are not required while waiting for trains on outdoor platforms at the following PATH stations only: Newark Penn, Harrison and Journal Square. Masks must continue to be worn at all other stations and while on PATH trains.
• Domestic travelers entering New York or New Jersey should follow CDC guidance here.
• International air travelers entering the United States through New York or New Jersey should follow CDC guidance here.

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