New Jersey Transit is temporarily suspending all services except the Atlantic City Rail Line, which will operate on a fixed weekday schedule.
The Long Island Rail Road has a weekend schedule on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Metro-North’s night service stops early Monday evenings.
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MTA Bridges and Tunnels will introduce a ban on empty and tandem tractor trailers, starting Monday at 6am. Buses are fitted with snow chains and run on a shorter timetable.
The MTA is urging customers to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
“This is a severe winter storm with high snow levels predicted,” said Patrick J. Foye, chairman and CEO of MTA. “MTA employees will work hard for the next 48 hours and beyond to prepare for and respond to the storm. Still, we highly recommend New Yorkers stay home, stay safe, and avoid unnecessary travel on Mondays and Tuesdays. until the storm subsides. “
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MTA employees are:
– Sprinkle salt and remove snow and ice surfaces
– Keep signals, points and third rail in operation
– Removal of fallen trees that could fall over tracks
– Attending weather related challenges during the storm
New York Subway and Staten Island Railway
While the underground parts of the metro system remain untouched during snow storms, there are nearly 220 miles of outdoor track through the boroughs. The Rockaway, Sea Beach, Flushing, Brighton and Dyre Av lines are particularly vulnerable to snow and sleet. To prevent metro trains from being blocked at railway yards, they are moved and stored underground in anticipation of heavy snowfall or ice. This has consequences for the service on lines with express services.
New York City Transit has a fleet of snow and ice relief trains designed to keep outer rails, switches and third rails clear of snow and ice. Powerful snow throwers, jet-powered snow throwers and de-icing cars – retired subways modified with tanks and other specialized equipment to spray de-icing fluid onto the third rail – are ready for immediate deployment.
Buses from New York City
Due to the predicted high levels of snow accumulation, buses will run less. All local buses are provided with snow chains. Sixty-foot articulated buses will be replaced by standard 12-meter buses from Sunday evening.
New York City Transit and the MTA Bus Company have 35 snow-fighting vehicles in their fleet, which operate on predetermined routes to quickly reach terminals, transfer locations and other high-traffic areas and well-known hot spots.
Bus operators have technology that tracks the service when it falls below the expected minimum level on each route, enabling them to make faster decisions. The bus service will be adjusted based on the road conditions around the city and may have service restrictions per route.
The MTA New York City Transit Department of Buses and the MTA Bus Company have the following equipment and supplies to combat the storm:
– More than 800,000 liters of diesel fuel
– More than 338,000 pounds of defrosting equipment
– 28,000 liters of gasoline
– 83 rigids
– 77 snow plows / salt spreaders to be mounted on truck
– 57 portable snow throwers / blowers
– 40 emergency vehicles / trucks
– 25 tow trucks
– 35 trucks
– 36 bucket trucks
– 22 dump trucks
– 14 portable generators
– Two tankers
MTA bridges and tunnels
MTA Bridges and Tunnels staff have activated full inclement weather preparedness for all facilities. The workforce will be maintained at the level necessary to combat the storm with up to 300 employees engaged in weather-related activities.
Due to the expected high wind conditions, a ban on empty tractors and tandem trucks is in effect on all MTA bridges from Monday, February 1 at 6:00 AM. Bridges and tunnels will keep a close eye on the weather and put in additional appropriate restrictions as needed.
Fleet Operations garages are activated during the storm to maintain the availability of all storm management equipment and supplies, including:
– 8,100 tons of salt
– 50 portable snow throwers / blowers
– 74 snow plows / salt spreaders to be mounted on trucks
– 45 portable generators
– 31 front loaders
– 31 wreckers / tow trucks
– 25 variable message boards
– 23 bucket trucks
– 17 weather stations
– 14 light towing vehicles
– 12 chainsaws
– 10 forklifts
-10 torches
– 10 car transporters
Bridges are equipped with built-in road temperature sensors and above-ground atmospheric sensors that provide real-time information about wind speed, direction, humidity and precipitation via wireless communication. These sensors record data that is used to determine whether speed limits are needed.
Flooding conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate mitigation measures taken if necessary. All non-critical road works will be suspended during the storm with contractors on site and / or available to assist with weather related response and mitigation.
Transit from New Jersey
New Jersey Transit will temporarily suspend all services on Monday, except for the Atlantic City Rail Line, which will operate on a normal weekday schedule.
Port Authority buses
Due to the approaching snowstorm, all bus services in and out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal will be suspended Monday, February 1. Contact your carrier for specific information and resumption of service.
Commuter Railways
The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad change pre-storm service plans and may change them further depending on storm conditions.
Snow killers are winterized, tested and strategically positioned on both railways. Protective heating circuits are checked to work, air brake lines are stripped of moisture to prevent freezing, and electric trains are fitted with special third rail shoes to prevent snow from building up.
Metro-North railway
The service ends early on Monday, February 1, with the last trains of the day departing as early as 9:39 PM and arriving at their final destination after midnight. To view the final train departures at individual stations, customers must visit mta.info or use the Metro-North Train Time or MYmta apps.
Metro-North is closely monitoring conditions and may further modify or suspend service if there is a lot of snow. Ice storms, blizzards or sustained winds of more than 100 km / h can severely restrict or suspend train service, especially if there are frozen switches, downed trees, or a loss of third rail or overhead lines.
Metro-North Railroad installed third rail snowshoes on its electric trains to scrape ice off exposed third rails, coat exposed train couplers with snow covers to keep out snow, treat exposed shoes with deicer, and spray door panels with anti-freeze agent.
Metro-North Railroad has ready-to-use snow control equipment strategically placed at facilities surrounding the system.
Switches – the interlocking tracks used by rail traffic controllers to guide trains from one track to another – are treated with an anti-freeze and lubricated. Metro-North Railroad uses electric point heaters.
Long Island Rail Road
From Monday at 00:01 AM, LIRR trains will run on a weekend schedule, which will remain in effect until Tuesday evening. This will help us provide the best possible service as the storm intensifies and we are working on cleaning the rails. Due to the extreme cold currently affecting the service area, the waiting rooms of the LIRR station will remain open until Wednesday 3 February.
The LIRR keeps a close eye on weather forecasts as the coming storm approaches its service area and can further modify or suspend service if there is a lot of snow. Ice storms, blizzards, or sustained winds in excess of 39 mph can severely limit or suspend train service, especially if there are frozen turnouts or the third rail power cuts.
The LIRR reminds customers to travel only on Mondays and Tuesdays when needed. Railroad personnel will work throughout the service area to keep trains moving for those who need them. Those who must travel are urged to use caution on station steps / platforms and when getting on and off trains. Customers planning to travel are encouraged to check the LIRR TrainTime app, MyMTA app or new.mta.info for the latest service information.
Access-A-Ride
The Access-A-Ride paratransit service continues to provide service, with vehicles using snow chains and all-weather tires, although shared rides and feeder service are suspended during the storm. Reservations are accepted based on a 24 hour booking cycle instead of the usual 48 hour booking cycle. Customers may experience additional travel and waiting times. Customers may consider travel unless medically necessary. The Paratransit Command Center will monitor the storm to track and respond to immobilized vehicles and customers.
New York City Transit has coordinated a process with New York City emergency responders and the NYC Office of Emergency Management for rescuing customers on immobilized vehicles or people developing medical needs during storms.
NY Waterway ferry service
All NY Waterway ferries will be suspended on Monday, Feb. 1 due to severe winter weather. NY Waterway will release updates on Tuesday’s service as the storm develops.
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