MTA buses are still running, but suspensions are possible as are road closures.
Speed limits were also reduced on many major highways, and numerous spinouts and accidents were being reported.
A winter storm warning remains in effect until Tuesday for much of the Tri-State.
The vast majority of flights scheduled for today have been canceled. Travelers should contact their airlines directly to confirm flight status.
RELATED: State of emergency in New York City due to snow, schools move to all-remote learning
The last LIRR trains to and from Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal will leave between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The last Metro-North trains running to and from Grand Central will leave around 3 p.m.
These trains will reach their final destinations at around 5 p.m., with the exception of Metro-North’s Wassaic branch, which will reach its destination at 6 p.m.
Also starting at 3 p.m., all PATH service system-wide will be suspended.
Amtrak Northeast Regional is operating a limited schedule.
The Staten Island Ferry is operating on a modified schedule of every 20 minutes Monday morning
NYC Ferry service is suspended until further notice, and SeaStreak Ferry service is suspended Monday.
New York Waterway ferries also are suspended.
Alternate side street parking in the city is suspended through the rest of the week, but parking meter rules remain in effect.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels implemented an empty and tandem tractor-trailer ban beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday. Buses were being outfitted with tire chains and are running on a reduced schedule.
The upper level of the Verrazzano Bridge is closed, but officials expect it to reopen sometime later.
The MTA urges customers to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
“This is a serious winter storm with high snowfall levels predicted,” MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye said. “MTA employees will be working hard over the next 48 hours and beyond to prepare for and respond to the storm. Even still, we strongly recommend New Yorkers stay home, stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel on Monday and Tuesday until the storm subsides.”
RELATED: Live Updates: NYC schools move to remote learning due to snow
MTA employees will be:
– Spreading salt and clearing surfaces of snow and ice
– Keeping signals, switches, and third rail operating
– Removing any downed trees that may fall across tracks
– Attending to any weather-related challenges during the storm
New York City Subway and Staten Island Railway
Outdoor, above-ground subway service will be suspended at 2 p.m. Monday. Officials said it will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Underground subway service will continue to operate.
There are nearly 220 miles of outdoor track throughout the boroughs. The Rockaway, Sea Beach, Flushing, Brighton, and Dyre Av lines are particularly vulnerable to snow and freezing precipitation. To prevent subway trains from being blocked in yards, they will be moved and stored underground in anticipation of heavy snow or ice. This will impact service on lines with express service.
New York City Transit has a fleet of snow and ice-fighting trains designed to keep outdoor tracks, switches, and third rails clear of snow and ice. High-powered snow throwers, jet-powered snow-blowers, and de-icing cars – retired subway cars modified with tanks and other specialized equipment to spray de-icing fluid on the third rail – are ready for immediate deployment.
New York City Buses
MTA buses are still running, but suspensions are possible as are road closures. All local buses will be fitted with tire chains. Sixty-foot articulated buses will be replaced with 40-foot standard buses starting Sunday night.
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, lay-over locations, and other highly trafficked areas and known hotspots.
Bus managers have technology that tracks service when it falls below minimum expected levels on any route, allowing them to make decisions more quickly. Bus service will be adjusted based on road conditions around the city and service curtailments on a route-by-route basis are possible.
MTA New York City Transit’s Department of Buses and the MTA Bus Company have the following equipment and supplies on hand to fight the storm:
– More than 800,000 gallons of diesel fuel
– More than 338,000 pounds of de-icing material
– 28,000 gallons of gasoline
– 83 box trucks
– 77 truck-mountable snow plows/salt spreaders
– 57 portable snow blowers/throwers
– 40 emergency response vehicles/road service trucks
– 25 tow trucks
– 35 road trucks
– 36 bucket trucks
– 22 dump trucks
– 14 portable generators
– Two fuel tanker trucks
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
MTA Bridges and Tunnels personnel have activated full inclement weather preparedness for all facilities. Staffing will be maintained at the level necessary to fight the storm with up to 300 employees engaged in weather-related activities.
Due to expected high wind conditions, a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks will be in effect on all MTA bridges starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 1. Bridges and Tunnels will be closely monitoring the weather and implement additional appropriate restrictions as needed.
Fleet Operations garages will be activated throughout the storm to maintain the availability of all storm-fighting equipment and material including:
– 8,100 tons of salt
– 50 portable snow blowers/throwers
– 74 truck mountable snow plows/salt spreaders
– 45 portable generators
– 31 front loaders
– 31 wreckers/tow trucks
– 25 variable message signs
– 23 bucket trucks
– 17 weather monitoring stations
– 14 light tow vehicles
– 12 chainsaws
– 10 forklifts
-10 torches
– 10 car carrier trailers
Bridges are equipped with embedded roadway sensors for temperature and above-ground atmospheric sensors that deliver real-time information on wind velocity, wind direction, humidity, and precipitation via wireless communication. These sensors record data used to determine if speed restrictions are necessary.
Flooding conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate mitigation measures will be put into place as needed. All non-critical roadwork will be suspended during the storm with contractors on-site and/or available to assist with weather-related response and mitigation.
New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit will temporarily suspend all service Monday, except the Atlantic City Rail Line, which will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
Port Authority buses
Due to the impending snowstorm, all bus service in and out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal will be suspended Monday, February 1. Please check with your carrier for specific information and resumption of service.
Commuter Railroads
The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad are amending service plans in advance of the storm and may amend them further depending on storm conditions.
Snow-fighting equipment is winterized, tested, and positioned strategically throughout both railroads. Protective heat circuits are being verified to be operational, air brake lines are being purged of any moisture to prevent them from freezing, and electric trains are being fitted with special third rail shoes to prevent snow from accumulating.
Metro-North Railroad
The last Metro-North trains running to and from Grand Central will leave around 3 p.m. Monday. To view final train departures at individual stations customers should 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 the snowfall is heavy. In ice storms, blizzards, or sustained winds over 39 mph, train service may be severely curtailed or suspended, especially if there are frozen switches, downed trees, or a loss of third rail or overhead catenary power.
Metro-North Railroad installed third rail snowshoes on its electric trains to scrape ice off of exposed third rails, is shrouding exposed train couplers with snow covers to keep snow out, is treating exposed shoes with deicer, and is spraying door panels with an anti-freeze agent.
Metro-North Railroad has snow-fighting equipment ready to go, strategically located at facilities around the system.
Switches – the interlocking tracks that allow rail traffic controllers to route trains from one track to another – are being treated with an anti-freeze agent and lubricated. Metro-North Railroad uses electric switch heaters.
Long Island Rail Road
The last LIRR trains to and from Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal will leave between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday. Due to the extreme cold currently hitting the service territory, LIRR station waiting rooms will remain open through Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The LIRR is closely monitoring weather forecasts as the upcoming storm nears its service area and may further modify or suspend service if the snowfall is heavy. In ice storms, blizzards, or sustained winds over 39 mph, train service may be severely curtailed or suspended, especially if there are frozen switches or there is a loss of third rail power.
The LIRR reminds customers to travel only if necessary on Monday and Tuesday. Railroad crews will be out across the service territory working to keep trains moving for those who need them. Those who must travel are urged to be cautious on station staircases/platforms and when boarding/exiting trains. Customers who are 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
Access-A-Ride paratransit service will continue to provide service, with vehicles using tire chains and all-weather tires, although shared trips and feeder service will be suspended during the storm. Reservations are being accepted on a 24-hour booking cycle instead of the usual 48-hour booking cycle. Customers may experience additional travel and wait times. Customers may want to reconsider travel, unless medically necessary. The Paratransit Command Center will be monitoring the storm to track and respond to immobilized vehicles and customers.
New York City Transit has coordinated a procedure with New York City first-responders and the NYC Office of Emergency Management for rescuing customers on immobilized vehicles or those who develop medical needs during storms.
NY Waterway Ferry Service
All NY Waterway ferry service will be suspended on Monday, February 1 due to severe winter weather. NY Waterway will issue updates on Tuesday’s service as the storm develops.
Tri-State air travel update
LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy Airport, and Newark Liberty Airport are reporting approximately 90% of their flights on Monday have been canceled. Travelers are urged to contact their airlines directly to confirm flight status.
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