Port Authority Prepared To Handle Millions Of Travelers During The Holiday Season

On Dec 22, 2016

More than 18.3 million travelers are expected to use Port Authority airports, bridges, tunnels and PATH trains during the holiday season. To accommodate heavy travel volume, the agency is providing a full complement of customer service representatives at the airports and toll collectors at tunnels and bridges to make the trip as easy as possible.

During the peak 16-day holiday period, which runs through January 2, more than 5.6 million passengers will travel through the agency’s major airports. About 2.6 million passengers are expected to travel through John F. Kennedy International, 1.7 million at Newark Liberty International and 1.2 million through LaGuardia, with about 59,000 passengers expected to use Atlantic City International and 11,000 at Stewart International airports.

Travelers should allow extra time when heading to the airport during the holiday period, and should check with their carrier in advance to ensure flights are departing on schedule.

As the Port Authority continues to redevelop LaGuardia Airport (LGA), maintaining current airport operations remains a top priority during peak holiday periods. A number of key measures have been implemented to alleviate roadway congestion during the peak holiday travel rush, including free LaGuardia Airport Link Q70 Bus Service, which provides non-stop service linking the main terminals of the airport (Terminals B, C and D) with the New York City subway and Long Island Railroad transit hubs on Thursday and Friday, and free parking in Long Term Parking Lot P10 for all vehicles entering on Friday December 23 on a  first-come first-serve basis for the duration of their stay.

Access to lot P10 is available via the 82nd Street Bridge; customers should not use the 94th Street Bridge to access the free P10 lot. Friday is expected to the busiest day of the holiday travel season at the airport.

The Port Authority has an on-site Traffic Command Center to monitor and manage airport traffic conditions and communicate conditions through regular updates via social media (Facebook), or @LGAairport on Twitter and LaGuardiaAirport.com.

The Port Authority also offers AirTrain service to both JFK and Newark Liberty airports. AirTrain JFK connects to New York City mass transit via stations at Jamaica and Howard Beach. AirTrain Newark connects to Amtrak and NJ Transit via the Northeast Corridor line.

An estimated 10.1 million vehicles are expected to use the Port Authority’s four bridges and two tunnels during the 16-day holiday period. Lane closings will be suspended at the George Washington Bridge, the Holland and Lincoln tunnels and the three Staten Island bridges.

The Bayonne Bridge is scheduled to remain open from 5 a.m. Friday, December 23, through 9 a.m. Tuesday, January 3. To speed travelers’ trips through the crossings, the Port Authority urges customers to sign up for E-ZPass to avoid waiting in cash lines. For information on bridge and tunnel construction, travelers can call (800) 221-9903.

Passenger traffic also is expected to be heavier than normal at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, so customers are urged to allow extra travel time and to purchase bus tickets in advance.  For information, please call (212) 502-2200.

The Port Authority expects approximately 2.6 million passenger trips on PATH during the 16-day holiday period. On Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2, PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule. There will be additional service overnight from Journal Square to 33rd Street via Hoboken for New Year’s Eve celebrations in New York City.

Weekend service on the PATH Journal Square-33rd (via Hoboken) line has been restored. Beginning Friday, December 23 through Sunday, December 25, Newark to World Trade Center service will operate every 20 minutes midday and early evening. Journal Square-33rd (via Hoboken) line will operate every 10 minutes midday and early evening. For information, please call (800) 234-7284.

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