SantaCon 2024: Transit companies ban alcohol on trains for festivities in NYC and Hoboken

NEW YORK (WABC) – SantaCon 2024 is coming to town this weekend and mass transit companies are trying to keep the party off the trains.

NJ Transit is banning all beverages on its trains, light rail vehicles and buses on Saturday, December 14, for the SantaCon event in New York City and on Saturday, December 21, for the SantaCon event in Hoboken.

No beverages of any kind in open or closed containers will be permitted aboard trains, buses or light rail vehicles during this time, NJ Transit warned, warning that the policy will be strictly enforced.

Additionally, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that alcohol consumption will not be permitted on Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) trains during SantaCon.

The ban applies from 4am on Saturday, December 14th until 12pm on Sunday, December 15th.

Alcohol consumption is also prohibited on all LIRR and Metro-North station platforms during these hours.

The MTA Police Department will have an increased presence at Penn Station, Grand Central Madison and Grand Central Terminal to enforce weekend alcohol restrictions.

Officials say police will confiscate alcoholic beverages and issue citations. Violators can also face removal from trains or stations by police.

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