LIRR to Temporarily Suspend All Service Beginning 1AM Monday; to Resume When Weather Conditions Permit
No New Access-A-Ride Reservations After 9 P.M., Consistent with Citywide Travel Restrictions
Bus Customers Should Expect Delays and Cancelations Due to Winter Road Conditions
Staten Island Railway to Operate a Weekend Schedule on Monday, Feb. 23
With newly updated winter weather forecast for increasingly severe weather over the New York metropolitan area, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today advised customers of service updates and steps being taken to ensure the safety of customers and employees. These service updates are in line with the state of emergency declaring travel restrictions across most counties throughout the MTA region. Customers are strongly advised to avoid travel.
Along with 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.
Long Island Rail Road
At 1:00 a.m. Monday, February 23, the LIRR will temporarily suspend all service until weather conditions allow for safe resumption. This proactive suspension allows crews to focus on snow-clearing efforts from this extreme winter weather event, which includes projected extreme velocity winds on eastern Long Island, to provide safe and reliable service when possible.
Starting at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 22, service will be reduced to hourly on the Port Jefferson, Port Washington branches, and half-hourly on the Babylon Branch.
Metro-North Railroad
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.
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.
New York City Subway
NYC Transit continues to run modified service through the storm. Express service will run principally on the local tracks and starting this evening, modified service will be in effect in the Rockaways, with shuttle trains running between Euclid Avenue and the Rockaways and serving all stations.
On Monday, Staten Island Railway will run a weekend schedule.
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 Avlines 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.
New York City Buses
Beginning midnight tonight, routes will be subject to detours and curtailments based on road conditions in local areas and customers can expect express bus trips cancellations.
Longer accordion-style buses have been replaced with 40-foot standard buses operating with chained wheels. Although all divisions have extra personnel on duty closely monitoring service, there will be impacts to bus service due to snow accumulation and city snow-clearing priorities.
Customers should expect slower travel times and rolling service modifications as conditions evolve. Customers are encouraged to check the MTA app or mta.info for the latest service information and updates.
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.
Paratransit
Access-A-Ride Paratransit will not be taking any reservations after 9 p.m., to coincide with the City’s traffic ban. Customers who have booked rides after 9p.m. are being contacted to see if they are able to reschedule for an earlier ride or cancel their trip. Paratransit customers can call for updates on when service will resume and reservations can be made again.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
Starting at 7:00 p.m. tonight, 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:
- Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
- Cross-Bay Bridge
- Henry Hudson Bridge
- Marine Parkway Bridge
- Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
- Throgs Neck Bridge
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
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.
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.