Rail Commuters Facing Delays, Cancellations Following Winter Storm
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Rail commuters are facing some delays and possible cancellations Friday as the Tri-State area digs out from a major winter storm.
Metro-North says it is operating on a reduced weekday schedule with some combined and cancelled trains.
For today, (Fri., Jan. 5) Metro-North is operating a reduced weekday schedule with some combined and cancelled trains due to the impact of the winter storm. See https://t.co/mXgDcEMVix.
— Metro-North Railroad. Wear a Mask-Stop the Spread. (@MetroNorth) January 5, 2018
The Long Island Rail Road is experiencing system wide delays averaging 10 to 15 minutes. All westbound trains on the Babylon Branch are also making all local stops to accommodate customers from trains that were delayed and canceled.
The LIRR is experiencing delays averaging 10-15 minutes systemwide due to the ongoing effects of Thursday's winter storm.
— LIRR. Wear a Mask. (@LIRR) January 5, 2018
NJ TRANSIT trains are subject to 30-minute delays due to weather-related issues and cross-honoring remains in effect.
NJT train service is subject to up to 30-minute delays systemwide due to weather-related operational issues. Systemwide cross-honoring remains in effect for today.
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) January 5, 2018
PATH trains are also running with delays.
Normal service is expected to resume Friday for New York City ferries, but the Seastreak ferry will remain suspended through Sunday.
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On the roads, there are speed restrictions at all of the major elevated roadways such as the George Washington Bridge, the Verrazano Bridge and East River crossings as well as the Goethals Bridge and Outerbridge crossing.
Thursday night, a LIRR train was no match for the frozen temperatures when passengers became stuck as the train stalled.
"I was just on the train for two and a half hours," one man said. "We were stuck on a train that needed to push another train out of the way."
Crews worked to constantly clean snow from the stations and the tracks, deploying deicing equipment to clear the path for service.
With the freezing temperatures comes a concern for both Metro-North and the LIRR over broken rails and switch failures.
The MTA is also utilizing chains on city buses to avoid slipping.