2004 Republican National Convention To Use Mass Transit
The 2004 Republican National Convention has announced a transportation plan that will be used to efficiently move the expected 50,000 delegates, party officials, speakers, supporters and credentialed media throughout the city during the four-day event and allow New Yorkers to commute as usual.
The 2004 Republican National Convention has announced a transportation plan that will be used to efficiently move the expected 50,000 delegates, party officials, speakers, supporters and credentialed media throughout the city during the four-day event and allow New Yorkers to commute as usual. The Republican National Convention will be held for the first time ever in New York City at Madison Square Garden from August 30 - September 2, 2004.
Designed in coordination with the New York City Police Department, New York City Department of Transportation, United States Secret Service, and other city and state agencies, the plan is to effectively employ various modes of transit to maximize visitors' access to the city and speed of travel, while minimizing the impact on residents and commuters.
"We are confident that the transportation plan unveiled today will smoothly and successfully move visitors around on both official convention business and as they experience the culture and diversity of New York City," said Bill Harris, CEO of the 2004 Republican National Convention. "By utilizing the city's various modes of transportation, convention guests will get to experience the best of New York - without disrupting its daily business."
The convention will encourage visitors to utilize the city's mass transit system to tour the city's wealth of cultural, shopping and other attractions during their stay. All convention delegates will be provided with free Metrocards through the New York City Host Committee 2004 at no cost to the city, as well as bus and subway maps to help navigate the system.
For travel to and from Madison Square Garden before and after official convention hours, a special express bus system has been developed to shuttle attendees from multiple locations within each of the five designated zones. Convention volunteers and signs in the lobby of each official convention hotel will provide attendees with any help they need.
The convention plan includes various modes of transportation to maximize visitor access to New York City and ensure easy travel for delegates to Madison Square Garden to participate in official convention business.
Transportation Information to Attendees
Prior to their arrival in New York City, convention attendees will be provided with a comprehensive information package that includes a full range of air, ground and rail service information for travel into and out of New York City.
Attendees will also be sent information on travel discounts on Continental Airlines, the convention's official air carrier, and Amtrak, its official rail service provider.
Upon Arrival
Upon arrival, signage and banners welcoming guests will be prominently displayed at all three major airports; at Grand Central Station and Penn Station; and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
With more than 40 different hotels hosting convention attendees, the island of Manhattan has been divided into five geographical zones, numbered one through five, to help arriving guests take the most direct route.
New York is a walking city. By design, 19 out of 25 hotels hosting convention delegates are located about within a single mile of Madison Square Garden. Almost 4,300 guests are staying in Times Square alone, so we expect they'll do what New Yorkers would do - walk.
GOP Liberty Express
The express bus system, called GOP Liberty Express, will use pre-designated travel lanes before and after the convention's single day-time session on Monday and four evening sessions from Monday through Thursday evenings. Earlier today, Mayor Bloomberg announced the planned street closures for the week of the convention.
GOP Liberty Express will be the most efficient way for attendees to travel between their hotel and Madison Square Garden. The city has used a similar system in the past for major events.
Mass Transit
Penn Station and city subways are expected to remain open throughout the convention. The convention will encourage visitors to utilize the city's mass transit system to tour the city's wealth of cultural, shopping and other attractions during their stay.
All 4,853 delegates and alternate delegates, as well as other participating guests, attending the convention will be provided with free Metrocards at no cost to the city, as well as bus and subway maps to help navigate the system.
Designed in coordination with the New York City Police Department, New York City Department of Transportation, United States Secret Service, and other city and state agencies, the plan is to effectively employ various modes of transit to maximize visitors' access to the city and speed of travel, while minimizing the impact on residents and commuters.
"We are confident that the transportation plan unveiled today will smoothly and successfully move visitors around on both official convention business and as they experience the culture and diversity of New York City," said Bill Harris, CEO of the 2004 Republican National Convention. "By utilizing the city's various modes of transportation, convention guests will get to experience the best of New York - without disrupting its daily business."
The convention will encourage visitors to utilize the city's mass transit system to tour the city's wealth of cultural, shopping and other attractions during their stay. All convention delegates will be provided with free Metrocards through the New York City Host Committee 2004 at no cost to the city, as well as bus and subway maps to help navigate the system.
For travel to and from Madison Square Garden before and after official convention hours, a special express bus system has been developed to shuttle attendees from multiple locations within each of the five designated zones. Convention volunteers and signs in the lobby of each official convention hotel will provide attendees with any help they need.
The convention plan includes various modes of transportation to maximize visitor access to New York City and ensure easy travel for delegates to Madison Square Garden to participate in official convention business.
Transportation Information to Attendees
Prior to their arrival in New York City, convention attendees will be provided with a comprehensive information package that includes a full range of air, ground and rail service information for travel into and out of New York City.
Attendees will also be sent information on travel discounts on Continental Airlines, the convention's official air carrier, and Amtrak, its official rail service provider.
Upon Arrival
Upon arrival, signage and banners welcoming guests will be prominently displayed at all three major airports; at Grand Central Station and Penn Station; and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
With more than 40 different hotels hosting convention attendees, the island of Manhattan has been divided into five geographical zones, numbered one through five, to help arriving guests take the most direct route.
New York is a walking city. By design, 19 out of 25 hotels hosting convention delegates are located about within a single mile of Madison Square Garden. Almost 4,300 guests are staying in Times Square alone, so we expect they'll do what New Yorkers would do - walk.
GOP Liberty Express
The express bus system, called GOP Liberty Express, will use pre-designated travel lanes before and after the convention's single day-time session on Monday and four evening sessions from Monday through Thursday evenings. Earlier today, Mayor Bloomberg announced the planned street closures for the week of the convention.
GOP Liberty Express will be the most efficient way for attendees to travel between their hotel and Madison Square Garden. The city has used a similar system in the past for major events.
Mass Transit
Penn Station and city subways are expected to remain open throughout the convention. The convention will encourage visitors to utilize the city's mass transit system to tour the city's wealth of cultural, shopping and other attractions during their stay.
All 4,853 delegates and alternate delegates, as well as other participating guests, attending the convention will be provided with free Metrocards at no cost to the city, as well as bus and subway maps to help navigate the system.
