The monster snowstorm that punished the tri-state caused changes to mass transit service and severely impacted the roads. Checkey Beckford reports.
What to Know
- Subways, buses and rails are coping with the aftermath of the blizzard with extra snow equipment, snowy weather plans and reduced service
- JFK Airport has suspended service until Friday morning and there are delays and cancellations at LaGuardia and Newark airports
- Roadways were treacherous through the Thursday evening commute and there are a bevy of restrictions on routes throughout the region
UPDATE: What You Need to Know for Your Friday Commute
The monster snowstorm that punished the tri-state with gusty winds and blizzard-like conditions caused changes to mass transit service and severely impacted the roads.
But many of the conditions that impacted the region on Thursday amid the storm will also be felt Friday as the region begins to dig out.
Here's what you need to know as you get your commute underway.
NYC SUBWAY
The city's subways are operating under a cold weather plan, and despite a decent start to the Friday morning commute, it quickly deteriorated.
While the underground portions of the subway were unaffected during snowstorms, nearly 220 miles of outdoor track throughout the boroughs are particularly vulnerable to snow and freezing precipitation (such as the Rockaway A/S, Sea Beach N, Flushing 7, Brighton B/Q and Dyre Avenue 5 lines).
The MTA said B trains were running local in Brooklyn because of weather conditions as of 8:30 a.m., causing delays in B and Q service, while some southbound Q and nourtound R trains had delays because of signal problems. Signal problems also delayed service on the No. 7 and No. 6 lines, while a frozen switch problem at Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway caused major issues for riders on the L line.
Local
MTA Chairman Joe Lhota said Thursday service may change from moment to moment; he encourages customers to check MTA.info and to download the Subway Time app.
NYC BUSES
All articulated buses have snow chains on tires. Standard buses will be equipped with all-weather tires or snow tires. Snowfighters will be deployed through Friday morning. Additional managerial staff and satellite monitoring offices will be staffed through Friday morning.
The latest advisories can be found at MTA.info.
LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD
MTA officials said Thursday afternoon that the LIRR is completely exposed to the elements and that they're worried about the effects of freezing temperatures overnight into Friday.
Friday morning, the agency was reporting 10-15 minutes system-wide, with scattered cancellations due to winter weather conditions. The Port Jefferson branch is bypassing Syosset and Cold Spring Harbor in both directions.
In general, here's what customers can expect during different types of winter storms, according to LIRR:
- Light snowfall, 4 inches or less: Little or no impact on operations/train service.
- Moderate snowfall, accumulations of 5 to 9 inches: Operations could be hampered by more than a few inches of snowfall and blowing snow. Walking in parking lots, on stairways and station platforms may be difficult. Expect some delays; and allow extra travel time.
- Heavy snowfall, 10-13 inches or more: Train service on some branches may be modified or suspended. We will try to restore normal service as quickly as possible to our core branches. We will also dedicate our snow-fighting equipment to our most heavily traveled lines. Train travel is not encouraged at height of storm.
- Ice storms, blizzards, sustained winds over 39 mph: Train service will be severely curtailed or suspended, especially if there are frozen switches or there is a loss of third rail power. Icing can have a greater impact on travel conditions than heavy snowfall and can develop very quickly. Train travel is not encouraged.
LIRR customers can check for service updates on MTA.info/LIRR, through text and email alerts, and on Twitter.
Station waiting rooms will be open to the public around the clock until Monday.
METRO-NORTH
Metro-North is running on a reduced week-day schedule. Read Metro-North's Guide to Winter Weather Travel.
Metro-North customers can check for service updates on MTA.info/MNR, through text and email alerts, and on Twitter. Real-time train information is also provided on the Metro-North Train Time website and on the Metro-North Train Time app.
NJ Transit
NJ Transit has operate regular weekday service on its bus, rail and light rail services, as long as conditions allow. System-wide cross- honoring will be in effect Friday on NJ Transit and private carrier buses, rail and light rail services only. The agency said commuters can expect up to 30-minute delays.
Other service impacts include:
• NJ Transit said Amtrak crews will periodically remove ice in the Hudson River Tunnels between 8 p.m. and midnight. As a result, NJ Transit trains must single track during that time, and customers may experience some delays.
• Regular weekday service for rail, bus, light rail and Access Link will operate as long as conditions allow.
• For all 196 and 197 lines, NJ Transit rail will cross-honor on the Port Jervis line at the Harriman, Tuxedo, and Sloatsburg Stations. Shortline bus will also be cross honoring.
PATH
All PATH trains were operating on schedule Friday morning. Check the PATH website for updates on service. Follow PATH on Twitter for updates.
FERRIES
Seastreak ferry service is suspended from Friday to Sunday due to high winds. The Staten Island Ferry, which was on a modified schedule Thursday, is back on schedule Friday morning.
New York Waterway has suspended some ferry service because of ice. Service from the Belford terminal in Middletown is suspended Friday because Compton Creek, off Raritan Bay, has iced up. Most NY Waterway commuter ferry routes on the Lower Hudson River between New Jersey and Manhattan are operating normally.
AMTRAK
Amtrak said it will operate modified schedule between New York and Boston on Friday, with reduced frequency of Acela Express and Northeast Regional service. Additionally, Shuttle service operating between Springfield, Mass., and New Haven, Conn., will operate on a modified schedule.
Check for the latest updates at Amtrak.com.
AIR TRAVEL
LaGuardia and JFK are both operating flights again, but travelers are advised to check with their carriers before heading out.
More than 1,150 flights at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark were canceled Thursday, according to FlightAware. Dozens more flights were delayed.
On Friday, travelers should expect additional intermittent delays.
Service on the AirTrain at JFK was temporarily suspended between Howard Beach and Federal Circle and the AirTrain at Newark has been experiencing delays.
HIGHWAYS AND ROADS
NEW YORK
- Alternate side parking is suspended in New York City Thursday through Saturday.
- There were speed restrictions of 35 mph on the George Washington Bridge and 25 mph on the Outerbridge Crossing and Bayonne and Goethals bridges.
- Trucks and motorcycles were banned on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
- See the latest travel information at 511NY.org.
NEW JERSEY
- The city of Hoboken, New Jersey, is towing vehicles parked on snow routes.
- More than 2,300 New Jersey Department of Transportation crews and contractors are working statewide, but snowy and windy conditions are making it a challenge, officials say.
- See the latest travel information at 511NJ.org.
