[Full tri-state public transportation updates below.] The plan to restore mass transit systems in the Tri-State Area began hours after Hurricane Irene headed north. Sunday night, the MTA announced that it would begin restoring subway service at 6 a.m. Monday morning.
The agency still didn’t commit to a timeline for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North train service as of 9 p.m. Sunday, saying that the damage assessment was continuing for those systems.
The MTA also restored limited bus service in New York City at 4:30 p.m. No fares were being charged for service provided on Sunday, the MTA said. The regular fare policy will resume Monday morning at 5 a.m.
Despite Tropical Storm Irene moving out of the region, the aftermath – including downed trees and flooding – was making it difficult on various other transit agencies trying to return to form ahead of Monday’s commute.
NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY SERVICE
According to a release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, service will be “less frequent than normal” and commuters should expect to face longer wait times and more crowded trains. The release said that “frequency of service will improve over the course of the day.”
Here are some notable exceptions for subway service:
- 3 trains will operate between 137th Street/City College and New Lots Avenue; Substitute bus service will be provided between Harlem 148th Street and 135th Street connecting with the 2 train.
- C trains suspended; A trains will make all local stops from 207th St. to Lefferts Blvd.
- No service in the Rockaways. (Rockaway Blvd. to Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park)
- 6 trains runs local in the Bronx
- 7 trains run local
- S Franklin Avenue Shuttle (FAS) Suspended
- N trains terminate at Kings Highway. Shuttle bus service between Kings Highway and Stillwell Terminal.
Earlier, MTA crews worked to assess damage to subway tracks, signals and equipment in the extensive transit system. Crews pumped water from the 148th Street/Lenox subway yard. The tracks on the N line were also flooded in Brooklyn at the 86th Street station.
“On the subway system, the good news is that the worst fear we had, which was that the under river tunnels on the East River would flood with salt water, were not realized,” MTA Chairman Jay Walder said. “We certainly dodged something there, however there are clearly impacts on the system.”
NEW JERSEY TRANSIT
NJ Transit said rail service would remain suspended until further notice because of the impact from Hurricane Irene, with the only exception being the Atlantic City Rail Line. The agency’s bus service will operate on a modified weekday schedule as crews work to assess damage and make necessary repairs.
Some of the bus routes may be subject to delays, detours or cancellations because of flooding. Light Rail service will operate on a weekend schedule.
There will be no service on the New Jersey Coast Line, Gladstone Branch and no service to the Meadowlands for the Giants/Jets game Monday night.
System-wide cross honoring will also allow customers to use tickets for alternate travel on rail, bus or light rail.
PATH TRAINS
The Port Authority announced Sunday afternoon that PATH train service would be restored at 4:00 a.m. on Monday morning.
LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD
The Long Island Rail Road is currently being impeded by trees blocking tracks and flooding concerns in many areas. In addition to those issues, additional wind gusts could prove to be a danger to crews, who will wait until conditions improve to begin reinstalling gates and making repairs.
In addition, the MTA says that no one should assume that the electrified third rail is deactivated.
“Stay off tracks and away from third rail at all times,” a statement from the agency read.
METRO-NORTH
Metro-North is also experiencing major flooding at numerous locations. Power outages and downed trees caused issues for overhead wires.
Connecticut’s New Canaan branch was knocked out of service by a downed tree and according to a spokesperson, service will not be restored in time for Monday’s commute.
Rail lines at Valhalla Station on New York’s Harlem Line and Cortlandt and Ossining on the Hudson Line were under water as well.
In Connecticut, power was out at the New Haven Yard because of a downed tree. Fallen trees along the Hew Haven line interfered with signal power and blocked road access.
{WCBS/Matzav.com Newscenter}
Anyone have an idea when lirr will resume service.
Oh great!