New York City Workers Face Wet, Cold Commute Home After Snowfall
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Not much snow stuck in New York City on Monday, but it was still wet and cold as commuters tried to get home.
Residents woke up to freezing rain and slick roads.
The Department of Sanitation deployed 705 salt spreaders and has 1,500 snowplows ready to roll. Alternate side parking is suspended, but drivers will need to pay the meters.
WATCH: Mayor Bill de Blasio Discusses Storm Preparations As Snow Approaches
"If you don't need to be in your car later on, if you can avoid driving or if you can take mass transit, please do, because it's going to be a very sloppy rush hour this evening," Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters Monday.
New York City public schools remained open, but some after-school programs that require buses were cancelled. The mayor said Monday afternoon that he expected schools to be open again Tuesday.
Parents can now track the location of their children's school buses by calling 718-392-8855.
WEB EXTRAS: CBS New York's Winter Survival Guide | Check The Latest Forecast
The evening rush started early Monday afternoon at the bus terminal with the usual lines starting to form a bit earlier than normal.
Lots of passengers who spoke to CBS2's Nick Caloway left work early, hoping to catch a bus home before the roads got too messy.
"Yeah, I did leave kind of early. Not early early, but I did leave early to beat the rush. But it seems like that didn't do any good," one commuter said.
"Get home safe. That's all. That's all we can wish for today," another commuter said.
There were some cancellations and delays on Greyhound buses to and from upstate New York and New England.
Things otherwise seemed to be running smoothly at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but as the roads get busier, the buses could be moving slowly.
A Code Blue will be in effect Monday night as temperatures drop below freezing, and a winter weather advisory in effect through 7 a.m. Tuesday.
