MTA Announces All-Agency Preparations Ahead of Winter Storm

 

With severe winter weather forecast to hit the New York metropolitan area starting Sunday, Feb. 22, into Monday, Feb. 23, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today advised customers of steps being taken to ensure the safety of customers and continuation of operations.

 

Alongside anticipated service changes described below, MTA employees will be deployed throughout the operating region spreading salt and clearing surfaces of snow, keeping signals, switches, and third rails operating, and attending to any weather-related challenges.

 

Summaries of actions being taken by MTA agencies follow.

New York City Transit advises customers that to accommodate winter weather operations, most subway service will operate local. Track and infrastructure rewewal projects scheduled for this weekend are being suspended to allow crews to focus their attention on the storm response.

 

With weather conditions expected to continue to evolve, NYC Transit strongly encourages customers to check MTA.info or the MTA app before traveling for the current status of all subway lines.

 

While the underground portions of the subway system remain unaffected during snowstorms, there are nearly 220 miles of outdoor track throughout the boroughs. The Rockaway  / , Sea Beach  , Flushing  , Brighton  /  and Dyre Av   lines are particularly vulnerable to snow and freezing precipitation. NYC Transit’s Department of Subways has a fleet of emergency response equipment including debris trains and de-icer trains ready to deploy and respond to icy conditions.

 

Crews are monitoring switches and tracks to ensure they are working properly, along with salting and clearing snow from elevated station platforms, exposed stairs and subway entrances.

 

Field personnel are staged at critical locations including stations and yards, ready to deploy and respond to snow conditions.

 

Longer accordion-style buses will be taken out of service during the upcoming winter weather and be replaced by 40-foot standard buses operating with chained wheels. All divisions have extra personnel on duty closely monitoring service, clearing the snow and ready to respond to issues that arise during the storm.

 

New York City Transit has 35 snow-fighting vehicles in its fleet, that have been strategically staged ahead of the storm and operate on predetermined routes to quickly reach terminals, lay-over locations and other highly trafficked areas. Certain areas will be salted in an effort to prevent any stuck buses.

 

Bus service will be adjusted based on road conditions around the city and service curtailments on a route-by-route basis are possible. Bus managers have technology that tracks headways and service in real time allowing them to make service-related decisions more efficiently.

 

Customers are encouraged to check the MTA app or mta.info for the latest service information and updates.

 

On the morning and afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 22, the Long Island Rail Road anticipates operating on a Sunday schedule. In the evening, the railroad may modify Sunday schedules on the Babylon, Port Washington Huntington Branches, West Hempstead and Oyster Bay Branches to allow crews to deploy snow-fighting equipment. 

 

For Monday, Feb. 23, the railroad will monitor weather conditions carefully throughout the overnight hours to evaluate the level of service that can safely be provided.

 

Service changes will be announced on the Train Time app and MTA.info and via email alerts and press release.

 

Station waiting rooms will be open systemwide starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday and they will stay open for the duration of the storm.

 

LIRR crews will be out across the service territory working to keep trains moving with equipment on hand to be able to respond quickly as conditions warrant. Crews will also proactively de-ice station walkways and platforms and are attaching hundreds of specialized ice-scraping attachments to the heavy duty metallic electrical plates on trains known as “shoes” that run atop the third rail to pick up electricity – and now will also simultaneously clear ice from the third rail.

 

De-icing trains will be running to keep third rails clear of snow and ice, while crews are strategically positioned throughout the system helping to keep switches clear and operable. In addition, switch heaters will be activated to prevent track switches from freezing using natural gas burners and electrical heating elements.

 

On Sunday, Feb. 22, Metro-North will operate on a regular Sunday schedule.

 

On Monday, Feb. 23, Metro-North will operate on an hourly service schedule, with weekend schedules in place on the branch lines. The Hudson Rail Link connecting bus will be suspended. The shuttle buses that have been substituting for the Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry due to river ice will also be suspended.

 

In preparation for winter weather, snow-fighting equipment is winterized, tested, and strategically positioned at facilities around the system. Metro-North crews will be out across the service territory working to keep trains moving with equipment on hand to be able to respond quickly as conditions warrant.

 

Protective heat circuits have been verified to be operational, air brake lines purged of any moisture to prevent them from freezing, and electric trains have been fitted with special third rail shoes to prevent snow from accumulating. Switches – the interlocking tracks that allow rail traffic controllers to route trains from one track to another – use electric switch heaters to melt snow.

The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad are closely monitoring the forecast. Updates will be posted on the MTA website and on the MTA and TrainTime apps as needed. Any potential changes to service will be announced in subsequent press releases.

 

Starting at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, and continuing through 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, MTA Bridges and Tunnels will prohibit empty tractor-trailer and tandem trucks from using the following bridges:

 

Pedestrian walkways at the Cross Bay Bridge, Marine Parkway Bridge, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, and the Henry Hudson Bridge may close depending on weather conditions.

 

Personnel have activated full inclement weather preparedness for all facilities, and the Operations Command Center will monitor the forecast, traffic conditions, and response operations. Staff will coordinate throughout the storm to ensure a quick response to any weather-related issues that may arise.

 

Bridges are equipped with embedded roadway sensors which measure temperature and above-ground atmospheric sensors that deliver real-time information on wind velocity, wind direction, humidity, and precipitation via wireless communication.

 

Access-A-Ride paratransit will continue to provide 24/7 service. The Paratransit Command Center will be monitoring the storm to track and respond to any customer or day-of service issues.

 

Upfront messaging has been activated to advise customers that they may experience additional delays and wait times. All providers have been reminded to follow the Severe Weather Plan, which includes advising drivers to be vigilant and take extra steps before declaring a Customer No-Show.

 

Ways to Stay Informed
MTA.info– The definitive source for real-time arrival information and service change information for each line or route in the MTA system. Customers can find current statuses on mta.info and upcoming planned service changes using the lookup tool at mta.info/alerts.

 

MTA app – Customers who use the comprehensive MTA smartphone app will see real-time train, bus and rail arrival times, and can chat with our customer care team all in one place. The app is available in the Apple Store and in Google Play.

 

TrainTime app – The MTA’s TrainTime app is the essential companion to navigating the commuter rail system. Customers can plan their trip, purchase tickets, check train status, and chat with customer service, all in one app. The app is available in the Apple Store and Google Play.

 

Email Alerts – Customers can sign up for email alerts tailored to their specific commutes and travel times. They can also sign up for MTA newsletters like The Weekender, a weekly newsletter that covers major weekend planned service changes. Customers can sign up here.

 

511 – Customers who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.