Port Authority Prepared to Accommodate Nearly 6-M Travelers During 2017 Memorial Day Weekend

On May 26, 2017

The Port Authority is prepared to accommodate the nearly six million people who will travel by air, car or rail during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer travel season. The agency has taken proactive measures to ensure travelers have a safe and customer-friendly experience while using Port Authority facilities across the region.

Following this week’s tragic terrorism attack in Manchester, England, the Port Authority Police Department has stepped up security at all of the agency’s facilities through the Memorial Day weekend.  The actions include increased counter security efforts, such as random bag and vehicle checks, the deployment of special weapons units, as well as the assignment of additional security personnel and equipment at the agency’s bridges, tunnels, airports, PATH rail and other holdings.

Airports

Beginning Friday, May 26, through Tuesday, May 30, the agency expects more than 1.8 million passengers to use the Port Authority’s aviation facilities – a 1.4 percent increase over last year.

The Port Authority expects approximately 839,000 passengers to travel through John F. Kennedy International, approximately 576,000 to travel through Newark Liberty International Airport, an estimated 384,000 to travel through LaGuardia Airport, a projected 15,000 to travel through Atlantic City International Airport and 3,200 to travel through Stewart International Airport.

To handle the high volume of expected air travelers, the Port Authority will staff the airports with hundreds of Customer Care Representatives to assist travelers throughout the holiday weekend. Travelers should check with their carriers on the status of their flight before going to the airport.

Given ongoing redevelopment-related construction, travelers to LaGuardia Airport should plan ahead and check www.laguardiaairport.com for tips and the latest information on parking, mass transit and ground transportation alternatives.

For additional information on how passengers can streamline their trip through screening checkpoints, visit the TSA website at https://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/wait_times_home.aspx.

Passengers planning to use the Port Authority’s airports during the Memorial Day weekend can sign up for Airport Info Alerts at http://www.airportinfoalerts.com/. This free, mobile subscription service notifies customers about weather delays and parking lot capacities.

Bridges and Tunnels

The Port Authority projects that approximately 3.4 million travelers will use its bridges and tunnels during the holiday weekend. The agency will have a full complement of toll collectors on duty to expedite travel through its crossings.  With passenger traffic expected to be heavier than normal, motorists are encouraged to allow extra time to reach their destination.

All construction on Port Authority bridges and tunnels, with the exception of emergency work, will be suspended from Friday morning through Tuesday morning for the holiday weekend. The Bayonne Bridge will remain opened from 5 a.m. Friday, May 26, through 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 30.

Heavier than normal crowds are expected at the Port Authority Bus Terminal during the holiday getaway and passengers are urged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid waiting in lines prior to their scheduled departure.

To ensure the safety of the traveling public, the Port Authority Police Department will conduct a DWI checkpoint at its facilities throughout the weekend to discourage people from drinking and driving.

To receive the latest travel alerts, travelers are encouraged to register for Port Authority Alerts at www.bridgeandtunnelalerts.com.  Motorists can receive alerts directly to their cell phones or e-mail accounts.

Additionally, travelers are encouraged to download Waze, a free crowdsourced traffic and navigation application. The Port Authority will feed information on lane closures, traffic incidents and other events to the Waze platform in real time.

PATH

The Port Authority projects that approximately 520,000 travelers will use its PATH rail system during the holiday weekend. PATH will operate additional trains as needed on Friday, May 26, to assist commuters leaving early for the holiday weekend. PATH will operate on a normal Saturday schedule on Saturday, May 27.  On Sunday, May 28, PATH will operate on a Sunday schedule. On Monday, May 29, PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule.

For up-to-date service information, riders are encouraged to follow PATH Rail System on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PATHTrain. Riders also can sign up for PATHAlerts at www.pathalerts.com, which provides up to the minute bulletins on PATH service changes.

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