The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will step up trains and subways as streets around the city will be closed during both the papal visit and the United Nations General Assembly soon after.
MTA officials recommended New Yorkers and visitors stick to the subways as traffic congestion will follow the pope throughout his trek as he travels between East Harlem, midtown and lower Manhattan. RELATED:MAP: NYC street closures during Pope Francis’ visit The transit agency also plans to deploy more workers to stations near Pope Francis’ scheduled stops at: St. Patrick’s on Thursday; Upper East Side, East Harlem and the World Trade Center on Friday; and both Central Park and Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The state agency warned security concerns during the Mass might force them to close individual staircases at Penn Station, which will otherwise will stay open during the religious service.
LIRR riders can count on eight extra westbound trains into Penn Station on Friday:
RELATED:Pope Francis visit only one of many events having city scrambling in September Metro-North will also offer more train service and have more crew personnel on hand at Grand Central Terminal. Trains will run on a normal schedule until Friday, when it will operate three additional inbound trains scheduled to: Up to date information on potential MTA service changes can be found at mta.info. Folks coming across the Hudson can also expect a few changes on Friday. PATH riders will see additional service on the Journal Square to 33rd Street and Hoboken to 33rd Street lines.
The World Trade Center PATH station will still be accessible via the Vesey Street or West Concourse entrances.