Extra Trains, Cancelled Trains: Pope Francis' US Visit 2015

Written by BARBARA HEINS and LANNING TALIAFERRO (Patch Staff)

When Pope Francis arrives in New York on Thursday afternoon, traveling into and around the Big Apple will become even more difficult.

Metro-North has made some schedule changes to accommodate commuters and those heading into New York to see the Pontiff. Pope Francis will depart Washington, DC at 4 p.m. after addressing Congress that two local clerics will attend. Fairfield University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. will be the guest of Greenwich’s U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4) and Bridgeport Diocese Bishop Frank J. Caggiano is the guest of U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy.

Pope Francis is expected to arrive at JFK International Airport at 5 p.m. Thursday and then motorcade to St. Patrick Cathedral where he will lead evening prayers.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, Metro-North is running a normal schedule, because ridership projections are modest and can be accommodated by existing service.

On Friday, Sept. 25, the railroad will operate additional inbound trains, and has scheduled the Fairfield Metro on the New Haven Line at 11 AM, making select stops to Stamford, then running express to Grand Central Terminal.

Also, the following morning trains will make extra stops or be cancelled:

New Haven Line:

• The 6:31 AM train from New Haven, making all stops through Bridgeport as well as Stamford, is cancelled.

• The 6:20 AM train from New Haven, which departs Stamford at 7:27 AM, will run express and will not make its normal stops at Old Greenwich, Riverside, Cos Cob and Greenwich.

• The 7:13 AM train from New Canaan, departing Stamford at 7:31 AM, will make additional stops at Old Greenwich, Riverside, Cos Cob and Greenwich, then run express to Harlem-125th Street and Grand Central Terminal.

Currently there are no combined or cancelled trains set for the evening period, however, customers should listen for PA announcements in the event of any last-minute changes to their commute.

On both days, Metro-North will also have additional trains and crews stationed in Grand Central Terminal as well as strategic outlying locations to be dispatched as necessary to provide additional capacity.

Customers are encouraged to sign up for text and email alerts to stay immediately informed about changing transit and traffic conditions.

See the schedule page for train times.

And once you get to New York, there are dozens of areas where you can expect street closures. The Pope’s visit coincides with the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, which historically causes gridlock. Click here for an NBC slideshow indicating areas that already are closed or will have limited access through Friday.

New York City Police are advising visitors to use the subway to get around Midtown and those expecting to see the Pope along his motorcade route must have tickets.