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MTA Friday Service Plan

Posted by
on February 13th, 2014 at 11:19 pm

The 12th storm of the season is ready for the second round of damage during the overnight hours. The MTA has wasted no time in announcing their service plans for tomorrow:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is preparing for a challenging Friday morning commute as another wave of storms dumps more wet snow on the New York area overnight. Most MTA services will operate with reduced schedules Friday morning, but the weather forecast is still uncertain. Service remains subject to change at any time, including temporary suspensions on some portions of the MTA network.

Hundreds of employees are working through the night to clear snow from station staircases and outdoor platforms, but the additional snow accumulating overnight may present challenging conditions for customers during the morning commute. All customers are advised to use extreme caution, hold handrails and stay away from the platform edge for safety.

Throughout the MTA network, special trains are clearing tracks with snow throwers and de-icing equipment, heaters have been activated to keep switches from freezing, and employees are on standby in critical locations to respond quickly if problems occur.

Anyone planning to travel Friday should consult www.mta.info before starting their trip.

New York City Transit Subways:

MTA New York City Transit expects to run a normal subway service for the Friday morning rush hour, though some express services may run as local trains because of track conditions.

Five sections of outdoor subway line are subject to temporary suspension between midnight and 4 a.m. to allow for intensive snow clearing operations:

• B and Q trains along the Brighton Line in Brooklyn from Prospect Park to Stillwell Av.
• N trains along the Sea Beach Line in Brooklyn from 59 St to Stillwell Av.
• The Franklin Av S Shuttle in Brooklyn
• A and S shuttle trains along the Rockaway Line in Queens from Rockaway Blvd to Beach 116 St and Far Rockaway
• 5 trains along the Dyre Av Line from E 180th St to Dyre Av

New York City Transit Buses:

Bus service is expected to run at 80 percent capacity overall, but some suspensions are possible on a route-by-route basis. All bus tires will be equipped with chains for additional traction.

Metro-North Railroad:

Metro-North Railroad’s service territory is expected to see final snow accumulations of 18 to 25 inches by morning. The railroad plans to operate a Saturday schedule on Friday, which represents about 40% of normal weekday service. Customers should check http://as0.mta.info/mnr/schedules/sched_form.cfm for point-to-point schedules, but be advised that they are subject to change. Off-peak fares will be in effect.

Customers are advised to limit travel if possible and anticipate crowding and delays. Thursday ridership was only one-third of normal, and Metro-North expects a similar decline in ridership Friday.

Long Island Rail Road:

The Long Island Rail Road plans to operate 90% of a normal weekday schedule, canceling 14 of 144 morning rush trains as listed below. If weather conditions change overnight, further changes to the schedule are possible. Customers should check http://web.mta.info/lirr/Timetable/MorningRushHour.htm in the morning before beginning their travels.

LIRR station waiting rooms will remain open around the clock to accommodate customers waiting for trains during cold and inclement weather.

Babylon Branch:

• The 5:59 AM train from Massapequa Park due NY at 6:55 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 6:14 AM train from Massapequa Park due NY at 7:08 AM.

• The 6:57 AM train from Freeport due NY at 7:40 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 6:32 AM train from Babylon due NY at 7:37 AM with added stops at Freeport, Baldwin, and Rockville Centre.

• The 7:29 AM train from Freeport due NY at 8:13 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 7:11 AM train from Massapequa Park due NY 8:08 AM with added stops at Freeport, Baldwin, and Rockville Centre.

• The 7:48 AM train from Wantagh due NY at 8:40 AM, is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 7:51 AM train from Wantagh due Atlantic Terminal at 8:43 AM. Customers will transfer at Jamaica for service to NY.

• The 8:10 AM train from Freeport due NY at 8:50 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 7:45 AM train from Babylon due NY 8:56 AM with added stops at Freeport, Baldwin, and Rockville Centre.

• The 8:25 AM train from Freeport due NY at 9:08 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 8:03 AM train from Babylon due NY at 9:11 AM with added stops at Freeport, Baldwin, and Rockville Centre.

Far Rockaway Branch:

• The 8:03 AM train from Valley Stream due NY at 8:42 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 8:31 AM train from Valley Stream due NY at 9:05 AM.

• The 8:10 AM train from Far Rockaway due NY at 9:05 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 8:21 AM train from Far Rockaway due NY at 9:17 AM with added stops at Rosedale, Laurelton, and Locust Manor.

Hempstead Branch:

• The 7:36 AM train from Hempstead due Atlantic Terminal at 8:28 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 8:03 AM train from Hempstead due NY at 8:51 AM with added stops at Queens Village, Hollis, and Jamaica. Customers for Atlantic Terminal change at Jamaica.

Long Beach Branch:

• The 8:03 AM train from Long Beach due NY at 8:54 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 8:08 AM train from Long Beach due NY at 9:02 AM.

Oyster Bay Branch:

• The 7:26 AM train from East Williston due NY at 8:14 AM is cancelled. Customers will be accommodated by the 7:48 AM train from East Williston due Long Island City at 8:34 AM.

Port Jefferson/Huntington Branch:

• The 6:25 AM train from Hicksville due NY at 7:11 AM is cancelled. Customers will accommodated by the 6:15 AM train from Huntington due NY at 7:17 AM with added stops at Carle Place, Merillon Avenue, and New Hyde Park. The 5:44 AM train from Port Jefferson due NY 7:20 AM will add a stop at Hicksville.

Port Washington Branch:

• The 6:17 AM train from Port Washington due NY at 7:03 AM is cancelled. Customers will accommodated by the 6:27 AM train from Port Washington due NY at 7:14 AM.

Ronkonkoma:

• The 6:54 AM train from Ronkonkoma due NY at 8:06 AM is cancelled. Customer will be accommodated by the 6:56 AM from Ronkonkoma due Atlantic Terminal at 8:17 AM. Customers for NY change at Jamaica.

I will update on here & on Twitter @TransitBlogger if I receive any more info.

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LIRR Operating Diesel Fleet On Huntington Line

Posted by
on February 13th, 2014 at 4:47 pm

The LIRR has announced that they will operate only diesel service on the Huntington / Port Jefferson line for this evening’s rush hour. Here is more:

MTA Long Island Rail Road will operate diesel service only on the Huntington / Port Jefferson Branch for this evening’s rush hour service. All electric train service on the branch will terminate at Hicksville. The nine regularly scheduled diesel trains will make local stops from Hicksville through Port Jefferson.

As a result, six electric eastbound trains will be canceled, and seven will be terminated at Hicksville. Westbound train service between Port Jefferson and Hicksville will be suspended during the PM Peak service.

We apologize for the inconvenience; however snow and ice accumulations over the electrified third rail prevent the safe operation of electric service.

LIRR crews will be working after the PM rush hour tonight to clear snow and ice from the third rail between Hicksville and Huntington and clear the Right of Way to Port Jefferson.

The LIRR’s goal is to provide normal AM service on the Huntington/Port Jeff line as well as on our other branches. We are monitoring overnight snowfalls and conditions closely across the LIRR system.

We experienced greater than anticipated accumulations on the Huntington/Port Jeff branch which lead to suspension of service in that area for much of the day.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Storm Related Service Changes

Posted by
on February 13th, 2014 at 4:20 pm

Here is the latest storm related service changes courtesy of the MTA:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is announcing service changes related to the winter storm that is causing snow accumulations and high winds throughout the region. Details of each change are listed below. Schedule details will be posted on the mta.info website later this afternoon.

New York City Subway N Line Temporarily Suspended

MTA New York City Transit has temporarily suspended service on the N Sea Beach Line in Brooklyn south of 36 St. Southbound (Coney Island-bound) N trains will run via the D Line south of 36 St.

Service is suspended in order to dispatch snowblowers to remove accumulated snow and ice from the tracks and third rail. Once the snow is cleared from the southbound track, normal southbound service will resume and the snowblowers will head north to clear snow from the northbound track. Northbound (Manhattan-bound) N trains will then run on the D Line from Coney Island-Stillwell Av to 36 St. NYCT hopes to resume normal service in time for the p.m. peak.

The N Sea Beach Line, along with other “open cut” outdoor lines, is more vulnerable to accumulating snow and ice. We are also closely monitoring conditions on the AS Rockaway, 7 Flushing, BQ Brighton, and 5 Dyre Av lines for potential suspensions for snow removal.

In addition, Bronx 6 Express subway service and Queens 7 Express subway service is suspended. All service on those lines will be local until further notice.

After tonight’s p.m. peak, subway trains will be moved and stored underground on express tracks and express service will be impacted on portions of certain lines into Friday. De-icers – retired subway cars modified with tanks and other specialized equipment to spray de-icing fluid on the third rail – are already in operation. Additionally, subway trains will be equipped with scraper shoes during overnight hours to keep ice off the third rail.

Metro-North Will Provide Hourly Service Beginning at 4 p.m.

MTA Metro-North Railroad will begin hourly service at 4 p.m. today due to higher-than-predicted snow accumulations of up to 18 inches in its service territory. Metro-North may need to further reduce or suspend service on some portions of its territory if conditions warrant.

Just a third of Metro-North Railroad customers took trains to New York this morning. The railroad’s service plan provides sufficient capacity to get everyone home. The current 75% reduced schedule remains in effect until 4 p.m. Changing weather conditions may lead to additional trains being combined.

Metro-North will rely heavily on its diesel fleet. Snow blowers and patrol trains are operating to clear the tracks, but higher-than-predicted rates of snowfall have the potential to affect service.

Long Island Rail Road Restoring Service Between Hicksville and Huntington and Adding Four Extra Trains

MTA Long Island Rail Road is restoring hourly service between Hicksville & Huntington and plans to run on two hour intervals between Huntington and Port Jeff. We continue to see higher accumulations on Huntington branch and may be cancelling Westbound service on Port Jeff branch for the PM to give us more flexibility for the Eastbound PM service on that branch.

The LIRR is adding four extra early-afternoon eastbound trains today starting with the 2:08 p.m. train from Penn Station to Huntington. The eight extra trains include three on the Babylon Branch, three on the Port Jefferson Branch (to Hicksville and Huntington); and one each on the Port Washington Branch (to Great Neck) and the Far Rockaway Branch.

The LIRR provided a regular AM Peak schedule of trains this morning and plans to provide the regular complement of trains for the PM Peak as well, though customers should expect weather related delays and allow extra travel time. Here is the lineup of extra, early afternoon eastbound trains from Penn Station.

Babylon Branch – Three Trains:

• 2:33 p.m. will run express to Lynbrook then local to Babylon

• 3:01 p.m. will stop at Jamaica, Rockville Centre and then run local to Babylon

• 3:32 p.m. will run express to Rockville Centre then local to Babylon

Port Washington Branch – One Train

• 3:41 p.m. will stop at Woodside, Flushing-Main Street, then all stops to Great Neck.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Metro North To Run Reduced Schedule Tomorrow

Posted by
on February 12th, 2014 at 6:48 pm

Due to the upcoming storm that is expected to dump 10-14 inches in the northern suburbs, the MTA Metro-North Railroad has decided to run a reduced schedule for tomorrow. Here are the details:

MTA Metro-North Railroad will operate a reduced schedule on Thursday on all three lines, Hudson, Harlem and New Haven, as the latest snow storm arrives in the metropolitan area. Accumulations throughout the day are expected to reach 10-to-14 inches in the northern suburbs and slightly less along the Long Island Sound.

The plan will accommodate 75% of normal weekday ridership. Some local and express trains will be combined and will make additional stops. Consolidated trains will depart at the later of the two times so no one will “just miss” the train.

The trains to be combined were chosen to minimize customer impacts and to arrive within 10-15 minutes of their normal time. The schedule is available at MTA.info.

To prepare for the storm, Metro-North has called in hundreds of extra personnel to salt platforms and clear them as snow begins to accumulate at the railroad’s 122 stations. Switch heaters have been activated to ensure switches continue to function despite cold temperatures and icing. Patrol trains will operate throughout the night to knock snow off the rails and third rail and to keep ice from accumulating on the overhead catenary wire on the New Haven Line.

Snow fighting equipment has been fueled and tuned: five cold air blowers, three hot air jets and two snow brooms. Metro-North trains are equipped with special third-rail shoes designed to shed snow and ice. Crews are armed with chainsaws to clear fallen trees that could block trains. The railroad has treated door panels with anti-freeze agents and pre-positioned rail-mounted snow fighting equipment to combat snow accumulation along the tracks.

During the storm, rescue engines will be manned and positioned at all yards, including Bridgeport, in case a passenger train becomes disabled and need a tow. There will be mechanics positioned at Pelham in case there are problems with the pantographs, the arm-like appendage at the top of New Haven Line trains that draw power from the overhead catenary wires.

Keep it tuned to here & my official Twitter @TransitBlogger for any & all updates that I receive.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Identifies Bus Driver Killed Today

Posted by
on February 12th, 2014 at 5:12 pm

Unfortunately tragedy struck the ranks of the MTA today as a NYC Transit bus driver was killed when his bus was struck by a stolen truck. Here is more:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has identified the bus operator killed this morning when his bus was struck by a stolen truck at the corner of 14th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.

William Pena, 49, of Hillside, N.J., a 17-year veteran of MTA New York City Transit, was driving articulated bus 5299 east on route M14D when he was struck. He was pronounced dead at the scene soon after the collision, which is under investigation by the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney.

“The entire MTA mourns the tragic loss of Mr. Pena, especially his colleagues at the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot in Manhattan,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Pena’s family, and we are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the perpetrator of this crime is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The safety of our customers and our employees remains our most important priority.”

Mr. Pena was the first MTA bus operator killed in a collision in more than 14 years. He is survived by his wife and his teenaged daughter.

Let me first offer my deepest condolences to the family & friends of Mr. William Pena. It is always hard to deal with the loss of a MTA employee, especially one who lost their life just doing their job.

I hope the person responsible for this death is punished to & beyond the fullest extent of the law as anything less would be an injustice to the William & his loved ones.

Once again R.I.P. William Pena!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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