NYC Storm Recovery Update

As the recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy continue to evolve, here’s the latest news from NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York: 

Marathon Update:
The 2012 ING New York City Marathon has been cancelled. We would like to share the following statement from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg:

STATEMENT OF MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND NEW YORK ROAD RUNNERS ON NEW YORK CITY MARATHON

“The Marathon has been an integral part of New York City’s life for 40 years and is an event tens of thousands of New Yorkers participate in and millions more watch. While holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, it is clear that it has become the source of controversy and division. The marathon has always brought our city together and inspired us with stories of courage and determination. We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it. We cannot allow a controversy over an athletic event – even one as meaningful as this – to distract attention away from all the critically important work that is being done to recover from the storm and get our city back on track. The New York Road Runners will have additional information in the days ahead for participants.”

Airports:

• JFK International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and LaGuardia Airport have all reopened. Check with individual carriers regarding specific flight confirmations.
• Taxi service and express shuttle-bus service are available into the City. Shared shuttles and private transfer companies are operating on a case-by-case basis and many are experiencing delays due to volume.
• AirTrain JFK has resumed limited service. Visitors can pick up AirTrain shuttle buses at the Howard Beach and Jamaica subway stations for transport to all airport terminals. Consult mta.info for current information regarding service between Manhattan and the Howard Beach and Jamaica stations.
• AirTrain Newark has resumed service. Visitors can take AirTrain to/from NJ Transit’s Newark Liberty International Airport Station, which connects to the Northeast Corridor Line to New York Penn Station. Please note that NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor Line is currently running on a special schedule.

Transportation:

• Taxis and livery car services are operating throughout the City.
• The public transportation system is slowly being restored within the City. There is limited subway service on several routes, supplemented by a bus shuttle between Downtown Brooklyn and Midtown. A modified map reflecting service changes can be found here. At this time, there is no subway service between 34th Street in Midtown and Downtown Brooklyn. Visit mta.info for information regarding specific subway lines.
• Public bus service has resumed throughout the City and is running on a normal weekday schedule with delays.
• Additional service is now available on both the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, although not all lines are running and trains may not be operating on a regular schedule.
• Most major highways, bridges and tunnels into the City are open to traffic. The Hugh L. Carey (Brooklyn-Battery) and Queens Midtown Tunnels remain closed. The Holland Tunnel is currently open only for buses entering Manhattan in the mornings and leaving Manhattan in the afternoons.
• NYC has ended the ban requiring High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) restrictions for vehicles entering Manhattan between 6am and midnight via bridges and tunnels. Vehicles will no longer be required to have at least three occupants.
• The Staten Island Ferry service has resumed with half-hourly service in both directions. Regular service returns on Saturday, November 3.
• East River Ferry Service has resumed.
• Amtrak is now providing Acela Express and Northeast Regional modified service on the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C., via New York City. Before traveling to Boston South Station, New York Penn Station, Philadelphia 30th Street Station or other Amtrak locations, passengers should make reservations and/or use the eTicketing option with their computers and smartphones.

Hotels:

• Before traveling, visitors are advised to re-confirm their hotel reservations directly with the property, regardless of location.
• In Midtown Manhattan, most hotels are open and operating, with the exception of a few hotels near a construction incident on 57th Street, including Le Parker Meridien, West 57th Street Club by Hilton and Salisbury Hotel.
• Power outages are widespread in Lower Manhattan, below 39th Street on the East Side and below 23rd Street on the West Side, affecting many neighborhoods and hotels in this area. Consolidated Edison has advised that power will be restored as soon as possible, but it could take several more days. The situation is improving frequently, however. Travelers holding a reservation for a hotel in this area are strongly advised to check with the hotel in advance of traveling.
• Hotels in Brooklyn and Queens remain open, with the exception of the Wyndham Garden Long Island City/Manhattan View.

Cruise Ship Terminals:

• NYCruise is coordinating with the US Coast Guard, and the cruise lines are working to return operations at the cruise terminal back to normal as quickly and safely as possible. Please continue to check the nycruise.com website and social media channels for updates on service, and make sure to contact your cruise line to confirm your itinerary before arriving for any cruise you may have scheduled.

Museums, Attractions and Broadway:

• Many tourist attractions have resumed operations, including Broadway shows, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Empire State Building Observatory, Gray Line New York Sightseeing, Top of the Rock and some Circle Line Sightseeing cruises. Spirit of New York Cruises are expected to resume from Chelsea Piers on Saturday, November 3.
• The majority of city parks are now open.
• Some sites, particularly in Lower Manhattan, remain closed until further notice, including the 9/11 Memorial, South Street Seaport, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
• For more information and continuing updates, visit facebook.com/nycgo or check individual websites.