Blizzard 2017 Mass Transit Changes: List Of Expected Bus, Train Service Changes, Cancellations
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Commuters should expect "substantial" train and bus service changes Tuesday as well as road closures as a major winter storm hits the area.
The National Weather Service says the region could get anywhere from a foot to 20 inches of snow.
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See below for a list of anticipated service changes that could impact mass transit:
MTA MASS TRANSIT
Subways: All above-ground Metropolitan Transportation Authority subway system train service will be shut down beginning at 4 a.m. Tuesday.
According to the MTA website, further service changes and regular subway lines may be impacted depending on continuing or worsening snow conditions and snow totals. Follow @NYCTSubway on Twitter for the latest updates.
Any scheduled subway maintenance, rehabilitation and construction projects have been canceled for Monday night and Tuesday. Around 13,000 personnel will be on duty for the subways, including more than 9,700 workers "dedicated to snow-fighting," according to Cuomo.
Buses: NYC Bus service will continue to run, but Mayor Bill de Blasio said it will be reduced by as much as 30 percent. Follow @NYCTBus for the latest updates.
City bus services could be suspended based on road conditions.
LIRR & METRO-NORTH
The Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Railroad will adjust their service dependent on changing weather conditions, which may result in delays or cancellations in order to clear tracks and avoid standing trains.
A final decision will be made by 4:30 a.m. Tuesday on whether there will be closures on the two commuter rail systems.
For more information, click here.
For more information on LIRR service, click here.
PORT AUTHORITY
The Port Authority is also making "extensive preparations" at all of its facilities including snow equipment at area airports, bridges and tunnels as well as salt and sand, liquid chemicals to prevent snow and ice build-up and de-icers.
Cuomo said plow-equipped trains and snow-melting materials will also be used to clear PATH stations, tracks and facilities.
For more information, click here.
NJ TRANSIT
Hundreds of NJ TRANSIT cars have been "winterized" to endure tough weather conditions, and light rail systems have been properly checked to make sure heating systems and engine fluid were running properly.
According to an NJ TRANSIT spokesperson, every train is equipped with a snow plow in the front to help clean up the rails during inclement weather.
Still, NJ TRANSIT rail service will be limited.
NJ TRANSIT bus and Access Link service is shutting down at midnight.
For more information, visit their travel alerts page here, or follow NJ TRANSIT on Twitter.
AMTRAK
Amtrak will operate a modified schedule in the Northeast region on Tuesday.
There will be no Acela Express between New York City and Boston, and there will be modified Acela Express service between New York City and Washington, D.C.
The Northeast Regional Service between Boston and Washington, D.C. will run on a modified schedule, and some trains will be truncated or canceled – including some trains that run in Virginia.
The Keystone Service, Empire Service, Shuttle, and Downeaster Service will also run on a modified schedule, with some train runs truncated or canceled.
Some long-distance trains that normally travel to and from the northeast corridor will also be affected, with service suspended between Albany/Rensselaer and Boston and between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.
Passengers should allow for extra time to get to stations and should be extremely careful with slippery conditions in stations, on platforms and in train doorways, Amtrak said.
The following Empire Service trains will not operate: 230, 234, 238, 242, 281, 235, 237, 241.
The following Downeaster Service trains will not operate: 688, 689.
Amtrak is encouraging commuters to check weather conditions and and allow additional time for travel.
For more information on Amtrak service, click here.
BEE-LINE BUSES
In Westchester County, all Bee-Line Bus services will be suspended beginning at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. The suspension will continue until further notice.
All Bee-Line Bus service will continue as scheduled Monday night into Tuesday until 2:30 a.m.
DOT
On the roads, the New York State Department of Transportation and the Thruway Authority will have hundreds of plows, dump trucks, loaders and other vehicles ready to respond.
Cuomo said 100 plows will be dedicated to servicing the Long Island Expressway, which he said is double the amount of plows for a normal snow storm.
Alternate Side Parking is suspended Tuesday, March 14, and Wednesday, March 15, to facilitate snow removal operations. Parking meters are in effect.
DOT will deploy crews to pre-treat pedestrian overpasses and step streets, and ensure that ferry terminals and municipal parking garages are pre-salted in advance of any snow.
During snow operations, DOT typically deploys more than 400 personnel and more than 100 pieces of equipment, including nearly 80 trucks for plowing over several shifts.
The Staten Island Ferry is expected to run on a normal schedule, but all passengers should allow extra time should weather conditions impact the schedule.
Citi Bike service is expected to remain in service until further notice.
AIRPORTS
Both John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport are advising travelers to check with their flight's status before heading to the airport.
