Other options for holiday travel: trains, buses
Travelers willing to trade some extra travel time for less stress may choose to go by train or bus this holiday weekend.
The American Automobile Association estimates that 2 percent of people traveling this week will do so by means other than plane or car. And in anticipation of that heavier-than-usual demand, several public transportation providers are stepping up their services this week.
The Long Island Rail Road is doing its part to encourage people to take the trains into and out of Manhattan this busy travel week.
Wednesday, the LIRR is adding 10 extra eastbound trains between 2:10 and 4:06 p.m.
On Thursday, the LIRR is operating under a holiday schedule, but is adding 22 trains to take people traveling to and from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The LIRR will resume a normal weekday schedule on Friday, but off-peak fares will be in effect all day - allowing passengers to save their dollars for spending on Black Friday shopping.
MTA officials said they would also beef up security on LIRR trains and stations this week, with extra police personnel on board.
Amtrak set a Thanksgiving week ridership record last year, carrying nearly 686,000 passengers, and spokesman Cliff Cole said the company hopes to tie or beat that figure this year.
"The numbers speak for themselves. People are taking the train," said Cole.
In anticipation of the busiest travel day of the year Wednesday, Amtrak plans to operate "every available passenger rail car in its fleet" and is adding extra trains throughout its system. Reservations are required.
Amtrak Police are also increasing security this week, including a heavier-than-usual presence of canine officers.
Buses/Ferries
America's largest intercity bus provider, Greyhound, expects heavy demand this week. Company spokesman Timothy Stokes said it's hard to predict how many people will take the bus this year, because most customers buy tickets as little as an hour in advance. But the company will have extra employees and buses available this week, and will add buses to its schedule as necessary, Stokes said.
Even companies moving travelers by boat are seeing big business. Stan Mickus, spokesman of Cross Sound Ferries Inc., said his company, which provides ferry service between Orient Point and New London, Conn., is running near hourly service most of this week, and is almost booked up for Wednesday and Sunday.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
