MTA urges LIers to use LIRR on Gridlock Alert Days

Long Islanders are urged to take public transportation, instead of driving, on the year’s most gridlocked traffic days in the upcoming holiday season, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Sunday.

Gridlock Alert Days are designated by the city’s Department of Transportation, which collects and analyzes traffic data from past years to determine the busiest and most congested days of the year, according to the agency’s website. There are 19 Gridlock Alert Days, most around the holidays — Thanksgiving and Christmas — but also during the UN General Assembly. This includes this Wednesday and Thursday, as well as Nov. 22, Nov. 23 and Nov. 30.

For next month, the days are Dec. 1, Dec. 2, Dec. 6-9, and Dec. 13-15.

Designated days don't necessarily have the most traffic but are characterized by higher overall activity, such as of vehicles, pedestrians, tourism and special events — as well as slow speeds, according to department spokesman Tomas Garita.

In 2021, speeds in Midtown Manhattan were 25% slower than typical fall weekdays, even though the volume of river crossings was up only 5%, Garita said.

Commuters can take advantage of discounted fares, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said.

Those traveling via Long Island Rail Road within New York City during off-peak hours can purchase a CityTicket at a discounted rate. LIRR riders can also buy a 20-trip ticket, which offers a 20% discount off comparable 20 peak one-way fares. The tickets are valid for 60 days.

“Riders across the metropolitan area should enjoy everything the city and region have to offer during the holiday season — not sit in endless traffic,” Metro-North Railroad President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi said in a statement.

Gridlock Alert Days started 40 years ago, according to a New York Times article published on the designation’s 10th anniversary.

The alert is not universally popular. A garage trade association told The Times that on Alert Days, business goes down 30%.

And last year, transit advocates said the alerts had done nothing to alleviate congestion — and wanted them ended in favor of “pop-up” busways, restricting vehicle occupancy in the highly congested areas, discounts on transit fares and higher parking fees, as well as more metered parking and getting rid of widespread parking placards.