By Philip Newman
The MTA, the Port Authority and many other New York regional entities have been working day and night to provide fans headed for the Super Bowl XLVIII Feb. 2 a day to remember.
Now they ask a favor of these sports fan multitudes: Please leave your car at home.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has dubbed Superbowl XLVIII “the first mass transit Super Bowl.”
“Oddsmakers agree that Port Authority facilities are prohibitive favorites to provide great service for Super Bowl XLVIII,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye and Deputy Executive Director Deborah Gramiccioni in a joint statement.
The Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, New Jersey Transit and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson railway have scheduled a series of extra trains and buses to ensure a smooth trip to the Meadowlands for fans traveling to MetLife Stadium.
“Even if you aren’t lucky enough to have a Super Bowl ticket, Long Islanders can still be part of the excitement by visiting Super Bowl Boulevard in Manhattan in the days leading up to the big game,” said LIRR President Helena Williams, referring to the Times Square activities prior to the Super Bowl.
“It should be a fun family experience for football fans of all ages,” Williams said. “And the LIRR will leave you just steps away from all the action.”
Super Bowl Boulevard takes place on 13 blocks from Broadway north of Penn Station and includes such attractions as seven-story-high toboggan runs.
The LIRR will add extra trains on its Babylon, Port Jefferson, Port Washington and Ronkonkoma branches and extra Babylon branch service Feb. 1 and Feb. 2.
Airports, including Teterboro, Newark Liberty, John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia, will add extra service. Customer Care representatives and dozens of volunteer staff will be available to welcome and guide visitors to their destinations.
For answers to how to reach the Super Bowl, consult mta.info.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
