Get your NYC subways, buses and ferries sorted for the Fourth of July

It happens on every holiday, but a midweek July 4th promises to add an extra layer of confusion to the tourists, crowds and screwy schedules that will inevitably hit the city’s public transit system. We hope we can help you get your itinerary dialed in by giving you the low-down on changes to NYC subway, bus and ferry service on the 4th, so you can get to and from that optimal spot to watch the fireworks. The good news: The MTA will be offering extra rail service on Tuesday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 4. The possibly good/bad/mixed news: The MTA’s railroads, subways and buses will operate on weekend schedules…and then some.

Image © 6sqft

NYC Subways
On Wednesday, the subway system will operate on a Saturday schedule; there will also be some service changes.

There will be no 6 or 7 express service.

B trains will not run, customers are encouraged to use the A, C, D, and/or Q instead.

There will be increased subway service on the 4, 7, A, C, F, N, and S 42nd Street Shuttle prior to and following the Macy’s fireworks celebration which will originate from barges on the East River between 23rd and 41st Streets from 9:25 p.m. to 9:50 p.m..

There will also be fireworks shows on July 4 at around 9:45 p.m. in Coney Island, Brooklyn and at around 9:25 p.m. at Exchange Place, Jersey City. In the event that crowds reach critical mass in Battery Park and Battery Park City as a result of this show, N service will operate via the Montague tunnel to provide additional service at the Whitehall Street and Rector Street stations.

See the full MTA scheduling announcement here.

NYC Buses
Buses operated by MTA New York City Transit and the MTA Bus Company will operate on a Saturday schedule on Wednesday, July 4. There are many routes that either do not operate on Saturdays or do not run on part of the route at certain hours. Customers traveling on the Fourth of July should check Saturday schedules, lines and routes.

The following bus routes may be affected by delays and detours due to fireworks street closures.: M9; M14 A/D; M15 local, M15 SBS; M23 SBS; M34 SBS; M42; M50; M101; M102; M103; B24; B32; B43; B62; Q24; Q32; Q59; Q60; Q102; Q103.

Where to watch the fireworks; Image: Macy’s.

NYC Ferry
The city’s ferry routes will also be in operating in holiday mode, with all four of its routes operating on a weekend schedule and with the following specific route changes:

East River route:

Last Wall St./Pier 11 departure bound for E. 34th Street: 1:38 pm
Last E.34th St departure bound for Wall St./Pier 11: 2:39 pm

Astoria Route:

Last Wall St./Pier 11 departure bound for Astoria: 1:49 pm
Last Astoria departure bound for Wall St./Pier 11: 2:34 pm

There will be no midtown shuttle bus service provided on Wednesday the 4th. Shuttle buses will resume normal service on July 5th.

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