Tuesday is the midweek checkpoint for anyone who rides into Manhattan from the suburbs. Here’s the current state of the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and NJ Transit — including the track maintenance advisories that could slow your Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning ride, plus a reminder about the NJ TRANSIT Penn Station restroom closures running through the end of the month.
Long Island Rail Road
Grand Central Madison — Midday Schedule
LIRR service into Grand Central Madison is running normally today. The terminal operates 5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, with peak service from 6-10 a.m. inbound and 4-8 p.m. outbound. During off-peak midday hours, Babylon, Huntington, and Ronkonkoma branches run every 60-90 minutes into GCT Madison. Between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., all LIRR Manhattan-bound service goes to Penn Station instead — plan your overnight trips accordingly.
Fare Reminders for 2026
- CityTicket: $7.25 peak / $5.25 off-peak for travel within NYC limits — a significant savings if both ends of your trip are inside the five boroughs.
- Day Pass: Replaced the old round-trip ticket in 2026. Unlimited LIRR rides until 4 a.m. the next morning.
- Onboard surcharge: Buying your ticket from the conductor now adds $2 per ride. The TrainTime app takes under a minute and saves you every time.
Branch Watch — No Major Disruptions Today
No branch-level suspensions are posted for Tuesday, April 21. As always, keep an eye on the Port Washington branch during afternoon rush — it’s historically one of the more congested lines when signal incidents hit.
Metro-North Railroad
Normal Service on All Three Lines
Metro-North is running regularly on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines today. Grand Central Terminal is the Manhattan endpoint (not to be confused with LIRR’s Grand Central Madison one level below). Midday headways are 30-60 minutes depending on the line and station; peak service tightens to every 10-20 minutes on core stretches.
Bronx Stations Worth Knowing
If you live in the Bronx and usually ride the subway to Midtown, the Metro-North Bronx stops can be a faster option at regular fare — Fordham, Williams Bridge, Woodlawn, and Wakefield on the Harlem Line all get you to Grand Central in 25-35 minutes. CityTicket pricing applies if you buy the right ticket type.
Key Connections at Grand Central
- 4, 5, 6 subway lines — direct transfer downstairs
- 7 train — through the passageway to Bryant Park
- S shuttle to Times Square — 2 minutes
- LIRR to Long Island — one level below Metro-North
NJ Transit
Raritan Valley Line — Possible Delays Through Friday
Heads-up for Raritan Valley Line riders: NJ Transit has advised of possible delays from Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 24 due to scheduled track maintenance. Build in a buffer for your evening return tonight and your Wednesday morning trip. The delays are variable — some trains run on time, others may be 10-20 minutes off schedule.
North Jersey Coast Line — Weekend Reminder
Looking toward Sunday: possible delays on the North Jersey Coast Line on Sunday, April 26 due to track maintenance. If you’re planning a shore weekend, consider an earlier return Sunday or a Saturday night return instead.
Penn Station Restrooms — Closed Overnight Through April 27
NJ TRANSIT restrooms at Penn Station New York are closed nightly from Monday, April 13 through Monday, April 27. If you’re catching a late train home, handle your business before you arrive at the station. Amtrak and LIRR restrooms in other parts of the complex remain available.
Newark Light Rail — Buses This Weekend
A small service note: Newark Light Rail will use bus substitution between Grove Street and Newark Penn Stations on the weekends of April 25 and 26. If you connect from Newark Light Rail to a mainline NJ Transit train, add 10-15 minutes to your travel time.
PATH Train
PATH is running 24/7 as always, connecting Hoboken, Jersey City, and Newark to Manhattan’s 33rd St, 23rd St, 14th St, 9th St, and Christopher St stations. For Hudson waterfront commuters, PATH remains the fastest and most frequent option. Current schedules are at panynj.gov/path.
Set up push alerts in the TrainTime app (for LIRR and Metro-North) and the MyTix app (for NJ Transit). Both let you pin your specific home and work stations and will ping you the moment a delay posts — usually 10-15 minutes before it would show up on the station board. If you’re catching a train during the Raritan Valley advisory window, this is the single best way to know if your train is actually running on time.
Your Tuesday Commuter Checklist
- LIRR riders: confirm your train on TrainTime before leaving the office tonight
- Raritan Valley Line riders: build in a 15-minute buffer through Friday
- Metro-North Bronx riders: consider using Fordham or Williams Bridge for faster Midtown access
- Penn Station late-night travelers: use restrooms before arrival through April 27
- Buy tickets in advance — avoid the onboard surcharge
For subway service updates, see today’s Subway Service Update. Heading to a sporting event or show tonight? Our How to Get Around Manhattan guide covers crosstown options and game-night transit strategies.
