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MTA service changes for New Year’s events

Bryan Cranston, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and Neil Patrick Harris during a news conference at Sardi's in Manhattan about tax benefits for Broadway on April 7, 2014.
Bryan Cranston, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and Neil Patrick Harris during a news conference at Sardi’s in Manhattan about tax benefits for Broadway on April 7, 2014. Photo Credit: Getty Images / Steve Exum

The MTA is altering service on New York City Transit and commuter rail lines for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

To get to the annual end-of-year bash at Times Square, the MTA said to avoid taking trains directly to the 42nd Street station, which will have exits closed off during the annual ball drop. The MTA is urging riders to walk from stations at 57th Street or Columbus Circle to Times Square.

There will also be multiple street closures that make bus riding difficult in the area.

After the ball drop, train lines near Times Square will run every eight to 12 minutes until 3 a.m. and the shuttle will run all night. Regular overnight bus service will resume after midnight.

Meanwhile, Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road will add extra service to accommodate people heading in and out of the city for the Times Square festivities. There will also be special LIRR service after the Billy Joel concert at Barclays Center, with trains departing 20 minutes after the show ends.

On New Year’s Day, subways and buses will run on a Sunday schedule, though the MTA said some bus routes will see longer waits. Commuter rails will operate on a special holiday schedule, with Metro-North providing hourly service on most line segments, while branch lines will operate on a weekend service.