NYC Transit Powers Big East Tournament Access

MTA partners with St. John's to promote transit access to Big East Tournament at MSG

MTA Promotes Transit for Big East Tournament

Fans heading to the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden can rely on mass transit for convenient access, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said. The MTA and St. John's University are promoting public transportation as the best way to attend the tournament, which begins Wednesday, March 11. MTA leadership, St. John's mascot Johnny the Thunderbird, the pep band, and cheerleaders rode the Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica to Penn Station for a press conference highlighting the partnership.

Defending Champions Enter as Top Seed

St. John's Red Storm enters the tournament as the defending Big East Champions and the number 1 seed with an 18-2 conference record. The tournament runs through Saturday, March 14, when the championship game takes place. St. John's opens tournament play Thursday, March 12 at noon against the winner of the Providence-Butler game. The team's strong conference performance has generated significant excitement among fans planning to attend games at Madison Square Garden.

Penn Station Provides Direct Garden Access

Penn Station offers multiple subway lines, all LIRR branches, and several bus routes connecting directly to Madison Square Garden. The LIRR achieved record on-time performance exceeding 96 percent in 2025, the best non-pandemic year in at least a decade, according to the MTA. The LIRR Concourse Project has enhanced the station with raised ceilings, doubled corridor width, and improved accessibility. These improvements make traveling to tournament games more comfortable for fans coming from across the region.

LIRR Ridership Surges Nine Percent

LIRR ridership increased 9% in 2025 to 81 million customers, the greatest increase of all MTA modes, officials said. The surge demonstrates growing confidence in public transportation and the effectiveness of recent infrastructure improvements. Several Big East school marching bands will perform at Penn Station before games to energize fans heading to Madison Square Garden, creating a festive atmosphere throughout tournament week.

Tournament Fans Can Track Transit Options

Tournament attendees traveling from Long Island, Manhattan, and surrounding areas can use Penn Station's extensive transit connections throughout the week. The station's direct connection to Madison Square Garden makes it the primary hub for fans attending games. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for all transit options serving Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, helping fans navigate the system during the busy tournament schedule.