Tri-State Area Transit Tackles Latest Snowstorm; LIRR, Metro-North Reduce Service
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Transit agencies across the Tri-State area have ramped up their response to a snowstorm that dumped more than a foot of snow in some places
Before the storm even began, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it has prepared all the railroad and transit systems, and bridges, that it controls. De-icers were prepared on the New York City subway system, and extra bus drivers and mechanics were brought in.
Service on railroads, subways and buses could be curtailed or suspended entirely or on a route-by-route basis depending on snowfall accumulation, according to the MTA.
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As of 8 p.m., the LIRR said it is reducing service on a branch-by-branch basis, consistent with its policy to curtail or suspend service if snow accumulations reach 10 to 13 inches.
The forecast heavy snowfall and high winds will generate snow drifts that could force some trains to suspend service short of their final destinations after 11 p.m., the MTA said.
LIRR's waiting rooms will remain open around-the-clock through Friday afternoon to accommodate customers waiting for trains during cold and inclement weather.
Due to weather-related processing problems at station ticketing machines, lower station fares will be charged onboard LIRR trains.
Metro-North also reduced its service after 8 p.m. Tuesday. Click here for specifics for each Metro-North line's schedule.
On Wednesday, the MTA said it expected to run close to normal service on the New York City subway system, with express service restored for the morning rush.
City buses are expected to run at 80 to 90 percent of their normal levels, and all articulated and most standard buses will have chains on their tires.
The LIRR will run on a weekend schedule with 60 to 65 percent of the trains that are available on a typical weekday, and the Metro-North will operate at 80 to 85 percent capacity.
PATH said service on its Journal Square-33rd Street and Hoboken-33rd Street lines has been restored following an earlier track condition that caused service to be suspended.
NJ TRANSIT issued service changes for Wednesday. The agency said it will operate on an enhanced weekend schedule on all rail lines except the Atlantic City Rail Line, which will operate a regular weekday schedule.
NJ TRANSIT buses and light rail lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule. Customers should expect delays, particularly during the morning commute, the agency said.
Access Link service will be suspended statewide Wednesday. Full service will resume on Thursday.
NJ TRANSIT is offering full, systemwide cross-honoring during the storm. The cross-honoring will remain in effect through Wednesday, the agency announced.
Westchester County said Bee-Line buses were experiencing delays of up to an hour by early afternoon. Paratransit vehicles, which serve the disabled, were also running up to 60 minutes behind.
The following Bee-Line routes are traveling on the snow detours:
- Rt. 1C North/South – Avoiding Westchester Community College – Classes cancelled and snow & ice – Detour using Knollwood Rd.
- Rt. 2 North/South – Avoiding Park Ave. & Palisade Ave due to snow & ice – Detour using Palisade Ave, Ashburton Ave, Broadway to Roberts.
- Rt. 6U-no service in the Uniontown area of Hastings. Bus will travel on Broadway instead.
- Rts. 8 & 32-no service to Nodine Hill in Yonkers.
- Rt. 9 Loop updated – Avoiding Park Ave, Walsh Rd, Vineyard, Father Finnian, Ridge Ave & Lake Ave due to snow & ice – Detour using Hudson St, Broadway, Palisade Ave, Ashburton, Broadway to Roberts Ave.
- Rt. 13B East/West due to snow/ice – Avoiding Benedict Avenue – Detour using Route 119 & Route 9.
- Rt. 40/41 North/South – Avoiding Westchester Community College – Classes cancelled and snow & ice – Detour using Route 100C
- Rt. 55 North/South– Avoiding High St, Locust St. and N. Terrace Ave. due to snow & ice – Detour using Lincoln Ave, Gramatan Ave to Broad St.
- Rt. 60 North/South – Avoiding Bryant Avenue due to snow/ice – Detour using Mamaroneck Ave.
- Rt. 63 North/South – Avoiding Crossways at Weaver St. due to snow & ice – Detour using Heathcote Rd to Palmer Ave.
All Suffolk County Transit bus routes were suspended at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Officials said service is expected to resume at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
As a result of the heavy snow, wind and frigid conditions, Amtrak announced it will operate a modified schedule on the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston, the Keystone Service (New York-Harrisburg, Pa.) and the Empire Line between New York City and Albany on Wednesday.
Fewer Acela Express and Northeast Regional service will operate between Boston and Washington. Passengers booked on affected trains will be notified by Amtrak customer service, according to the rail agency.
Ticketholders opting not to travel will be issued a refund of a voucher for future travel, Amtrak announced.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday for the five boroughs of New York City, the northern suburbs, all of Long Island, most of New Jersey, and southern and eastern Connecticut.
Commuters are warned to pay attention to updated advisories.
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