Post-Snow Travel Guide: Latest on Mass Transit, Roads & More
Although the New York City metro dodged the worst of nor'easter, the storm's aftermath was still being felt Wednesday
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What to Know
MTA's subway and bus services were expected to be fully restored by Wednesday morning, but some lines were seeing delays.
Metro-North service was running on a modified schedule Wednesday morning and was seeing delays of up to 20 minutes.
NJ Transit bus and Access Link service was running Wednesday, but rail service is on a modified schedule until Friday
A ferocious nor'easter punished the tri-state area with near-blizzard conditions and strong winds Tuesday, burying parts of the region under a foot of snow and others under inches of ocean water.
Much of the area's transit had returned by Wednesday morning, but the effects of the storm continue to be felt and commuters were seeing mass delays.
Chris Cimino and Raphael Miranda’s forecast for Tuesday, March 14.
Here's what you need to know about travel:
MASS TRANSIT
MTA subway service above ground resumed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, but several lines were seeing delays Wednesday morning. At 9:30 a.m. the MTA reported delays on the 7, B, D, F, M, N, Q, R and W lines, and commuters complained of packed platforms and a lack of trains servicing the L line through Brooklyn.
Underground express subway service, which was suspended Monday night to store trains underground, resumed in time for Wednesday morning's commute.
3 and D trains were running local Wednesday morning in both directions as part of the MTA's Cold Weather Plan.
After MTA bus service was reduced up to 30 percent, full service began running normally at 5 a.m. Wednesday. The Access-a-Ride paratransit service has already started taking reservations for Wednesday's commute. The MTA said it would run free bus service to LaGuardia Airport this week to help reduce congestion.
Full service on the Metro-North resumed Wednesday, with some delays, after it was suspended at noon Tuesday.
The Long Island Rail Road continues to operate a normal schedule with scattered 10-20 minute delays.
NJ Transit bus service resumed Wednesday morning with delays and cross-honoring.
NJ Transit trains were running on a President's Day schedule Wednesday, with some additional trains during the evening rush, then will return to a full weekday schedule Thursday. Even so, customers reported widespread delays during rush hour, in some cases topping 30 minutes. At some stations, trains arrived already so full that no one else could get on board.
PATH service is running on a normal weekday schedule on all lines as of Wednesday morning.
NY Waterway ferry service is on schedule Wednesday.
Staten Island Ferry is on a modified schedule Wednesday.
East River Ferry is on a modified schedule Wednesday following suspensions Tuesday.
Amtrak said it would resume regular service for its Acela Express and Northeast Regional trains on Thursday, as well as all other services that operate between Boston and Washington D.C./Virginia. Empire Service will operate on a modified schedule.
The Bee-Line System resumed service at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
NICE bus service in Nassau County returned to normal Wednesday after earlier suspensions.
NBC 4 New York
Chloe, a nine-month-old New Jersey puppy, looks a little perplexed by the snow, but she's willing to go with it.
Instagram User @markelpresley1
This pup was bundled up for the snow Tuesday, March 14.
Instagram User @cooper_the_bernese
This puppy was out in Central Park during Tuesday's nor'easter on March 14.
Instagram User @princessjo_thebulldog
Dogs were out in full force during Tuesday's nor'easter on March 14.
Instagram User @the.hendrix.experience
These pups were feeling playful during the nor'easter on Tuesday, March 14.
Marley plays in the Bronx during Tuesday's nor'easter on March 14.
Jesse Grant/Telemundo
Dogs around the city enjoyed the snow on Tuesday, March 14.
Jesse Grant/Telemundo
Dogs didn't shy away from the snow during the nor'easter on Tuesday, March 14.
Instagram User @potusthepuggle1
This NYC dog wasn't shy when it came to the nor'easter on Tuesday, March 14.
Instagram User @asbury_the_wonder_dog
This dog had the perfect outfit for the nor'easter on Tuesday, March 14.
Instagram User @the_artful_dogger
This NYC dog was out in the nor'easter early on Tuesday, March 14.
Instagram User @jacquinyc9
Elle enjoys the snow on Tuesday, March 14.
Barbara Frankel
In case of emergency, CC and Cleveland Leebaw left a trail for mom to find them in Glen Gardner, New Jersey.
Barbara Frankel
CC and Cleveland Leebaw are just a couple of fuzzy friends frolicking in the snow in Glen Gardner, NJ.
Twitter / @katiebandz_
This Bridgeport, CT pooch is certainly enjoying today's storm (and probably wouldn't mind a little more).
Twitter / @conroy_terri
"Hey mom, can we go play in the snow?" Honey and her son Axl watch the snow come down in Apalachin, NY on Feb. 9.
Twitter / @anitaxfrancesca
Rosie loves the Pennsylvania snow, and who can blame her really?
Twitter / @furrrrguson
Who says cats don't like snow? This one does, enjoying this outdoor bench in Langhorne, PA.
NYPD
A police dog from an NYPD K-9 team hangs out in the snow.
NBC 4 New York
Chloe, a nine-month-old New Jersey puppy, looks a little perplexed by the snow, but she's willing to go with it.
Twitter / @culnCapitalCity
Copper the Beagle has a little snow on his nose, and he likes it just fine.
Twitter / @pisanovalley
The birds of Metuchen, NJ want their birdseed and they don't much care how much snow is on the ground.
Twitter / @chantellemarie
Some cats like to go out in the show ... some cats, like this one in Paramus, prefer to observe from the window.
Twitter / @silberandgold
When you play in the snow, you get snow on your face.
A dog in orange booties was spotted in Columbus Circle.
Bianca Rosembert
Brownie came with his snow gear and he absolutely loves the fluffy snow.
Bianca Rosembert
Bailey wasn't letting anything stop his morning stroll.
Futon was having a grand old time at Central Park West.
Karen Arnott
Logan (left) and Nicole Arnott catching snowflakes on their tongues.
Karen Arnott
Logan (left) and Nicole Arnott are thoroughly enjoying their snow day!
Twitter / @conroy_terri
There's nothing like enjoy the snow from indoors with a friend.
Twitter / @annamurdock7
Delayed school openings in Tipton, IN means a bright an early start on fun in the snow (much to mom's chagrin).
Twitter / @ElyseChengery, NBC 4 Columbus
A winter wonderland is best enjoyed with your loved ones, as one family in Marion, OH experienced today.
Erica Byfield
Piles of snow bring the perfect opportunity for family sledding in New Jersey's Van Saun County Park. Thanks dad!
Twitter / @magisterialmago
Little Luca is all bundled up and ready for his first snow storm in Philadelphia, PA!
Twitter / @79ca06abc214c2
Facebook User Jessica Elaine
Jessica Elaine shared photos of her dogs on a walk in West Milford Thursday.
Facebook User Jessica Elaine
Jessica Elaine took her pups for a walk in the snow in West Milford Thursday.
Facebook User Jessica Elaine
Jessica Elaine's dogs enjoyed a walk in the snow Thursday in West Milford.
Instagram / @anniebeaconhill
This pup decided to enjoy his snow day by keeping warm under the covers in Boston, MA.
Instagram / @porter_the_golden
Though Porter didn't get a snow day in Chicago, IL, he managed to enjoy the snow just as much as his friends in New York City.
@casperpomeskimo/Instagram
Casper is taking on the big city snow or shine!
@jenuncorked/Instagram
This pup doesn't mind a little snow. Just shake it off!
@midtowncoffee/Instagram
Puppy on the prowl.
@poochieboots/Instagram
Where are your snow boots?
@pbsthephotographer/Instagram
This little guy would rather get a lift home.
@tinasicaja/Instagram
Lily looks ravishing on her stroll through Central Park.
Instagram / @i_prefer_paws_and_claws
Chloe braves the elements looking cute in a pink winter coat.
Facebook User Lauren Ranck Nunez
There was plenty of fun to be had Thursday as snow fell in Orange County, New York.
Facebook User Mary Evrard-Deutschman
This dog was having some fun Thursday playing some ball in the snow.
@yeyush_the_chihuahua/Instagram
All dressed up for the weather!
@maya_thegoldenretriever/Instagram
Maya is wishing hard for more snow!
ROADS, BRIDGES & TUNNELS
There was still a lot of snow on the roads Wednesday morning and black ice is a major concern as Tuesday's wet snow freezes amid frigid temperatures. Road crews are trying to prevent black ice, but all drivers should be cautious of icy conditions. Motorists, especially tractor-trailer drivers, were warned to anticipate scheduled and unscheduled road closures as the area cleaned up.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Slushy snow was still on the streets of midtown Wednesday morning.
A travel ban in Connecticut was lifted Tuesday evening, and all travel and tractor trailer bans in New York were lifted Wednesday afternoon.
People drove despite the warnings, and accidents were reported on roadways across the tri-state. A car crashed into a tree in Mastic Beach, injuring two people, and a car careened into a pole in Brookhaven, though no one was injured. New Jersey State Police said Wednesday they had responded to at least 228 motor vehicle crashes since the storm hit. Other drivers were seen stuck or stranded on roadways covered in snow.
Bridge speed restrictions were lifted after Wednesday's morning rush.
Alternate side parking is suspended in New York City through Saturday to facilitate snow removal efforts.
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 5: A front loader plows snow March 5, 2015 at LaGuardia Airport in the Queens borough of New York City. A Delta jet partially skidded off a runway at the airport while trying to land in a snowstorm. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images).
Getty Images
A woman and child walk through snow up Second Avenue during the snowstorm of March 8, 2005.
Getty Images
A dog wears booties as he waits to cross the street in New York after the snowstorm of March 16, 2006. That year's March storm forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
Getty Images
Bicycles are seen covered in snow in the East Village after the snow of March 2, 2009.
Getty Images
Snow covers the statue of George Washington on Wall Street during the snowstorm of March 8, 2012 in New York City. This storm delivered significantly less snow than is expected in Tuesday's blizzard.
Getty Images
A woman waits for a traffic light to change in Brooklyn during the snow storm of March 8, 2012 in New York.
Getty Images
A man walks with his luggage over the Brooklyn Bridge in the snow on on March 5, 2015 after New York City and much of the Northeast experienced one of its most severe winters in recent history.
Getty Images
A front loader plows snow during that March 5, 2015, storm at LaGuardia Airport, after a Delta jet partially skidded off a runway at the airport while trying to land in a snowstorm.
AIR
John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International saw thousands of canceled flights as the storm battered the region, and all three airports warned of anticipated high volume Wednesday as customers grounded by the nor'easter tried to get out -- or come home.
The Port Authority, which oversees the three airports, says most flights are fully booked on Wednesday because of Tuesday's cancellations, and people should expect very heavy traffic on the roads to the airports. Anyone without a booked flight should not come to the airports.
Passengers are urged to use mass transit to the airports, including the (temporarily free) Q70 LaGuardia link and the AirTrains to JFK and Newark. The Port Authority also tweeted that people should consider using Uber, as the ride-sharing service was offering $10 rides from LaGuardia to anywhere in New York City.
A snowstorm last month caused chaos at LaGuardia Airport as travelers flocked to the notoriously cramped airport to try to catch flights the day after the storm; News 4 cameras captured passengers running on the gridlocked highway and roads to try to make their flights at LaGuardia. The airport has tried to mitigate traffic at peak travel periods since then.
NBC 7/T20 Ana Cristina Sanchez
Some Central Park Zoo residents enjoying the March snow storm.
NBC 7/T20 Ana Cristina Sanchez
Some Central Park Zoo animals enjoying the March storm.
Instagram user @livelovemaplewood
The snowfall on a tree in bloom outside a Maplewood, New Jersey, elementary school.
Instagram user @complicated_newyorker
Pedestrians in Times Square brace themselves during Friday's winter storm.
Instagram user @bobo
An aerial shot of the George Washington Bridge during Friday's winter storm.
MBTA Transit Police
Pedestrians on the Upper East Side navigate through the snow Friday.
Instagram user @mitzgami
The snow didn't stop these people from gathering in Times Square for a group photo.
Instagram user @jackb_nyc
The snow made for a messy commute Friday morning.
Instagram/2 emsnyc83
Snow covered Columbus Circle on Friday morning.
Instagram user @noemadnyc
A view of Canal Street blurred by snow Friday morning.
