Polly Trottenberg, the city’s transportation commissioner, is advising residents to expect traffic gridlocks during Pope Francis' visit to New York.
“Please use mass transit if you can,” he advised.
Predicting“very difficult” traffic, he asked residents not to drive, but rather make use of public transportation.
The officials of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) agree, they also suggested that New Yorkers take the subway during the pontiff’s visit.
Staten Island residents were asked to take the ferry, not the bus.
A MTA spokesman said: "Don’t take the bus. That’s the message.”
However, Mayor Bill de Blasio had a totally different opinion.
“I often think we worry a little more about these special events than we need to. The city always keeps going. Businesses will be open. The government will be open and functioning. Everything’s going to go on as normal.”