Dear Transit Sam,
With the holidays almost upon us, I was wondering if construction along Hudson St. by the Holland Tunnel would lighten up for the holidays. Since most construction is usually suspended, I was hoping the Hudson St. entrance to the Holland Tunnel might be open. Any chance of that happening Transit Sam?
Tom, Battery Park City
Dear Tom,
Unfortunately, the Hudson St. water main will not be “embargoed” during the holiday season. According to the NYC Department of Design and Construction, crews will be working through the holiday season till 2015! Crews will continue to close the entrance 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends. You might see a break on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day. In the meantime, this has wreaked gridlock on Varick St. beyond the normal queues to Van Dam or Charlton streets. Thursdays’, Fridays’ and weekend backups go north of Houston St. to Clarkson St. and even Leroy St. Canal St. is actually a better approach than Varick or Broome streets, so Tom, I suggest if you must use the tunnel from Battery Park City take West St. to Canal (but this is sometime banned too) or Church St. to Sixth Ave. and turn left to the tunnel.
Transit Sam
Dear Transit Sam,
I was recently waiting for the new M15 Select Bus on First Avenue near 2nd St. I was heading uptown to get a jump on some holiday shopping. While waiting for the bus, I noticed a local (the old) M15 bus a couple of blocks away. I had already prepaid my fare. These new buses use receipts, and the old buses use Metrocards so I figured I was out of luck and let the local M15 pass by me. My question is can I board a local M15 bus if it comes before an M15 Select Bus? It would reduce the wait times for me going forward if I can just grab the first bus I see. Thanks.
Aaron, Lower East Side
Dear Aaron,
The answer used to be no when the new buses along First and Second avenues were first launched about a month ago. However, the MTA had a change of heart based on customer feedback. You may now use your Select Bus Service (SBS) receipts on the local M15. Bus drivers have been instructed to collect SBS receipts when you board the local buses.
Transit Sam
Have a question about upcoming Gridlock Alert Days, Thanksgiving gridlock, transit problems, parking tickets, or to get my parking calendar? Shoot me an e-mail at TransitSam@downtownexpress.com or write to Transit Sam, 611 Broadway, Suite 415, New York, NY 10012.
