Extra Metro-North Trains To The Ball Drop, But Booze Is Banned Again

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Metro-North wants to be your designated driver on New Year's Eve, but the railroad is reminding passengers to leave their drinks at the party until 2023 is well underway.

Tens of thousands are expected to visit New York City to ring in the New Year and public transit is by far the most popular option for getting to the festivities.

Most MTA agencies, including Metro-North Railroad, will be operating on regular weekend or holiday schedules while running additional trains for customers headed into the city.

As in years past, the MTA will ban the consumption of alcohol on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad trains on New Year’s Eve.

The ban will be in effect beginning at noon on New Year's Eve through noon on New Year's Day. Alcohol consumption will also be prohibited at all LIRR and Metro-North station platforms during these hours.

The MTA Police Department said they will have an increased presence at Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal to enforce the weekend alcohol restriction. Police will confiscate alcoholic beverages and issue summonses. Violators may also be subject to removal from trains or stations by police.

On New Year's Eve, Metro-North will operate on a Saturday schedule. Additional outbound service from Grand Central Terminal will operate after midnight until 5 a.m.

On West of Hudson lines, additional service will run after midnight on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines.

On New Year’s Day, Metro-North will operate on a Sunday schedule.

On Monday, Jan. 2, Metro-North will operate on a Saturday schedule with additional service on East and West of Hudson lines.

There are, of course, a few options for real-time service updates and information on train service.

MYmta app – Customers who use the comprehensive MYmta smartphone app will see real-time travel information for all MTA services all in one place.

TrainTime app - The MTA launched a totally revamped TrainTime app as the new one-stop app for commuter rail customers in the region on both Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, showing all train schedules for 30 days in the future.mta.info – The “Service Status” box at new.mta.info is always the definitive source for the latest status for each line.Live Subway Map – The Live Subway Map shows the real-time position of trains, planned service changes at any given time, highlights accessible stations, and much more.

MTA Weekender – Customers can sign up for the “MTA Weekender,” a weekly digest of major weekend service changes throughout the transit system.

Twitter – Twitter users can follow @MTA, @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus for service updates and customer service support.

WhatsApp – Customers can chat with NYC Transit via WhatsApp. Riders can receive customer service support in their native language through the help of Google Translate.

For passengers who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511. Connecticut customers should call 877-690-5114. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.