See Broll Video of MTA Chair and CEO Lieber's Visit to Flatbush Bus Depot With Final Storm Prep Underway Saturday night, Jan. 24
See Photos of MTA Chair and CEO Lieber at Flatbush Bus Depot Seeing Workers Preparing for Storm Saturday night, Jan. 24
More Than a Foot of Snow Possible Across NY Metro Region, Starting as Early as Saturday Night
LIRR and Metro-North Railroad to Run Modified Schedules on Sunday and Monday
View MTA-Wide Storm Prep Photos on MTA News and Here; Check MTA App, TrainTime App or mta.info for Real-Time Service Alerts During the Storm
As the snowstorm approaches, the MTA provides further details on winter storm prep, while reminding customers that service adjustments may be necessary based on real-time conditions. The MTA remains committed to keeping the region moving during this significant storm expected to impact millions across the service area.
For the latest service updates, customers should check mta.info, the TrainTime app, and the MTA app. All planned work has been postponed for the duration of the storm and all service remains subject to further modification based on real-time weather impacts. Customers who must travel are urged to allow extra time for their trip and to use caution on station staircases and platforms, as well as when boarding and exiting trains.
On Friday, the MTA shared details on its winter storm preparations. See links to video and b-roll below.
View Video of MTA Chair Lieber Discussing Weather Preps
View Q-&-A on Weather Preps
View Broll Video of LIRR Storm Preps
View Broll Video of NYC Subway Storm Preps
View Broll Video of NYC Bus Storm Preps
New York City Transit
NYC Subway
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.
To prevent snow accumulation and keep tracks clear, New York City Transit is adding more overnight service with an extra focus on the trench lines – and – where snow has no place to go and can drift. Six de-icer trains are ready to operate as needed and 10,000 snow-fighting employees will be deployed from Sunday through Monday, including teams from maintenance-of-way, signals, power, structures, and car equipment.
NYC Buses
Bus operations are being closely coordinated with the NYC Department of Sanitation to keep routes clear, and service will depend on road conditions. Key preparations include:
- Entire bus fleet chained by midnight tonight
- 27 snow-fighting vehicles and 12 plow-equipped pickup trucks deployed for salting and equipment delivery
- 4,000 employees assigned, including bus operators and maintainers, with additional maintainers added
- Articulated buses removed from service and replaced with 40-foot standard buses
Ahead of the storm, NYC Transit has strategically staged 35 snow-fighting vehicles on predetermined routes to quickly reach terminals, layover locations, and high-traffic areas. Certain areas will be salted to prevent buses from getting stuck.
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.
Long Island Rail Road
LIRR crews and equipment are fully mobilized and prepositioned across the system to keep trains moving and ready to respond quickly as conditions warrant. Key preparations include:
- Half-dozen patrol trains deployed to scrape the third rail and clear snow
- 16 pieces of snow-fighting equipment deployed to actively clear tracks
Approximately 1,800 employees assigned to snow-fighting operations - Four de-icer trains to keep third rails clear of snow and ice
- 736,000 pounds of salt on hand, and proactive de-icing of station walkways and platforms
- 450 train cars equipped with third-rail scraper shoes
- Crews clearing and maintaining switches; switch heaters activated using natural gas burners and electrical heating elements
Service adjustments are possible depending on conditions and temporary service suspensions in some areas may be required. Customers are urged to check the TrainTime app before traveling and allow for extra travel time, if they must travel.
On Sunday, the Long Island Rail Road will run on a modified schedule:
- No service between Ronkonkoma and Greenport.
- Hourly service on the Port Washington Branch and between New York City and Huntington on the Port Jefferson Branch.
- Half-hourly service on the Babylon Branch.
On Monday, the LIRR will operate a regular Sunday schedule.
Metro-North Railroad
On Sunday, Metro-North Railroad will operate a reduced schedule with 309 trains instead of 429. Trains will run hourly on the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines, while the New Canaan, Danbury, and Waterbury branches will run on their regular weekend schedules.
On Monday, trains will operate on a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday schedule, with 544 trains compared to 671 on a normal weekday schedule. Customers are encouraged to check their trips before traveling.
Further service adjustments are possible depending on conditions and temporary service suspensions in some areas may be required. Customers are urged to check the TrainTime app before traveling and allow for extra travel time, if they must travel.
In preparation for the weather, 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.
Stations have been pre-treated with salt and maintenance-of-way crews are pre-positioned along key corridors, from Grand Central to Poughkeepsie.
Access-A-Ride
Access-A-Ride paratransit will continue to provide service as road conditions allow. Customers may experience delays and wait times, and may want to consider adjusting their travel plans. The Paratransit Command Center will be monitoring the storm to track and respond to any customer or day-of service issues.
All providers have been reminded to follow the Severe Weather Plan, which includes being particularly vigilant of road conditions and looking for passengers sheltering from the snow before declaring a No-Show during extreme weather conditions.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
MTA Bridges and Tunnels 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.
Restrictions may be put in place if weather conditions warrant.
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 in 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.