Blizzard warning NYC: MTA subway, bus, train changes and system-wide preparations announced

NEW YORK (WABC) — As a severe winter storm bears down on the New York metropolitan area, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is rolling out comprehensive preparations to keep the region moving safely.

Commuters are being urged to prepare for significant service adjustments across all transit agencies.

Following a joint news briefing and tour of the Subway Operations Control Center with MTA Chair Janno Lieber and Mayor Mamdani, the MTA outlined a massive deployment of personnel and specialized equipment to combat the freezing conditions.

Here is a breakdown of how the storm will impact your commute and how the MTA is preparing:

Subways and Buses: Going Local and Swapping Fleets
To accommodate snow-clearing operations, most New York City subway service will run local. The MTA has suspended all scheduled weekend track and infrastructure projects so crews can focus entirely on storm response.

While underground tracks are insulated from the weather, the MTA is deploying debris and de-icer trains to protect the 220 miles of exposed outdoor tracks. Lines particularly vulnerable to freezing precipitation include the A/S (Rockaway), N (Sea Beach), 7 (Flushing), B/Q (Brighton), and 5 (Dyre Ave).

Above ground, New York City Transit is making major changes to its bus fleet:

No Accordion Buses: All longer articulated buses are being pulled from service and replaced by 40-foot standard buses equipped with chained wheels.

Snow-Fighting Vehicles: 35 specialized snow-fighting vehicles are staged across the boroughs to clear terminals and high-traffic routes.

Route Curtailments: Bus service will be adjusted on a route-by-route basis depending on local road conditions.

Commuter Rails: Schedule Adjustments for LIRR and Metro-North
Commuter rail riders should expect shifting schedules as crews work to keep tracks and switches clear of ice. Both railroads are activating switch heaters and deploying trains equipped with special third-rail “shoes” to scrape away ice.

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR):

The LIRR will run a standard Sunday schedule on the morning of February 22, though evening modifications are possible on the Babylon, Port Washington, Huntington, West Hempstead, and Oyster Bay branches to allow for snow equipment deployment. Monday’s service levels will be determined overnight based on storm severity. Note: Station waiting rooms will remain open 24/7 systemwide starting at 6:00 a.m. Sunday.

Metro-North Railroad:

While Sunday will see a regular schedule, Monday will shift to an hourly service schedule, with branch lines operating on weekend schedules. Connecting services, including the Hudson Rail Link bus and the Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry shuttle buses, are suspended.

Bridges, Tunnels, and Paratransit

To prevent accidents and jackknifed vehicles, MTA Bridges and Tunnels is instituting a strict ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks from 7:00 p.m. Sunday through 10:00 a.m. Monday. The ban affects the Bronx-Whitestone, Cross-Bay, Henry Hudson, Marine Parkway, Robert F. Kennedy, Throgs Neck, and Verrazzano-Narrows bridges. Pedestrian walkways on several of these bridges may also close depending on wind and ice conditions.

For Access-A-Ride users, 24/7 paratransit service will continue, though customers are advised to expect delays. Drivers have been instructed to follow severe weather protocols and exercise extra patience before declaring a customer a “no-show.”

How to Stay Informed
With conditions expected to evolve rapidly, the MTA strongly encourages all riders to check for real-time updates before heading out. Customers can check transit statuses via:

The MTA app or TrainTime app (available on Apple and Google Play)

The MTA’s official website at mta.info

Phone by dialing 511

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