NJ TRANSIT Prepared To Battle Winter
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- NJ TRANSIT said it's prepared to get its passengers to and from work in the winter.
Executive director Steven Santoro on Thursday said the agency has equipment and plenty of salt on hand to help its trains and buses get through a storm.
However, Santoro said the system will be shut down if necessary.
"While our goal is to keep our system running for as long as possible during difficult weather conditions, we will not sacrifice safety for expediency," Santoro said. "That is why sometimes the best decision is to shut down the system during weather emergencies so that we can be in a better position to restore service as quickly as possible."
The agency's locomotives, rail cars and buses have undergone winter maintenance. Workers also have inspected more than 750 switches and switch heaters, overhead wires and bridges along the rails.
"Bus maintenance personnel have checked heating systems and fluids in more than 2,000 buses," Santoro said.
Two jet-engine-powered snow blowers are available to remove ice and snow from tracks and critical switching areas.
Contracts have also been finalized with vendors to plow snow from the larger park and ride lots.
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