An announcement from Metro-North (we’ve shortened it slightly to remove information on lines other than the New Haven Line, see the full announcement here):
Pope Francis will arrive in New York on Thursday, Sept. 24, and will have a full schedule of events across the city on Friday, Sept. 25, including afternoon Mass at Madison Square Garden.
Pope Francis (photo from Agencia Brasil)
People who can avoid traveling into Manhattan on those days should do so, since many street closures near those locations will result in traffic congestion and pedestrian diversions. Customers should buy round-trip tickets in advance and expect crowded conditions.
On Thursday, Sept. 24, Metro-North will run a normal schedule, as ridership projections are modest and can be accommodated by existing service.
On Friday, Sept. 25, the railroad will operate three additional inbound trains, leaving:
- Fairfield Metro on the New Haven Line at 11 a.m., 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 a.m. 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 a.m. 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 [public address] 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.
Prior to the Pope’s visit, customers are encouraged to sign up for text and email alerts to stay immediately informed about changing transit and traffic conditions.