LIRR and Metro-North Adding Extra Trains to Manhattan for the Parade
Alcohol Will Be Banned on Both Railroads from 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, to 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 18
MTA Introduces Special-Edition Shamrock Lexington Avenue Subway Line Symbols
Customers Are Encouraged to Check MTA.info, the MTA App and TrainTime App Prior to Traveling
New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 11:00 a.m. For those participating in the parade, and those looking to watch, the MTA is the safest and most reliable way to get there. Grand Central Terminal, serving both Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road, leaves riders minutes from the parade. Riders will be able to follow the shamrocks on New York City Subway’s Lexington Avenue Line, which covers the full parade route with stations a short walk to Fifth Avenue. See below for more on how to take transit to this year’s NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
Long Island and Metro-North Railroads Adding Extra Trains to the Parade
Grand Central Madison leaves LIRR customers closer to the parade than ever, with the East Side LIRR hub just a short walk from the parade’s starting point.
Multiple travel options will be available to get customers to the parade. The LIRR will add two extra westbound trains on the Babylon Branch and two extra trains on the Ronkonkoma Branch, all of which are stopping at Grand Central Madison.
Metro-North will operate extra service to Grand Central Terminal on both the East of Hudson and West of Hudson Lines on St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17.
On East of Hudson lines – the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines – Metro-North will have four extra inbound trains and two extra outbound trains available to transport participants to and from the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Manhattan.
On the West of Hudson lines – the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines – Metro-North will operate one extra train on each line to transport parade-goers to Manhattan.
In the afternoon, Metro-North will monitor the return of parade-goers and will operate extra trains as necessary.
Alcohol Ban on Both Railroads
Both Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road will ban alcohol on all trains and at stations from 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, to 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18.
Alcohol consumption and open alcoholic containers are always unauthorized throughout the subway system.
The Best Way on the Subway
The best way to the parade by subway is the Lexington Avenue , which covers the full parade route, and stations are a short walk to Fifth Ave. If customers wish to take the train to Fifth Ave they can take the subway to the 5 Av-53 St station. Customers can also take the to Lexington Av-59 St, or the to 42 St-Bryant Park or 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center.
Customers should note that the stairs to the 5 Av-59 St station on the west side of Fifth Ave and at the southeast corner of Fifth Ave and 60th St. will be closed during the parade.
New York City Bus Reroutes
Due to the parade route, some New York City Buses will have their routes impacted.
Customers should expect reroutes on the following bus routes: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M31, M50, M55, M57, M66, M72, M79 SBS, Q32, and most express buses.
Customers can check mta.info throughout the duration of the parade to monitor their route.
About the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a New York City staple since 1762, and the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. The parade route runs along Fifth Avenue, starting at E. 44th Street and ending at E. 79th Street. The popular parade typically draws about 2 million spectators and about 150,000 marchers.
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and check the MTA app or TrainTime app prior to traveling.