(Jan 26): The heaviest winter storm in years dropped mounds of snow on New York City, making Monday’s morning commute messy for those willing to brave it.
Commuter lines run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are operating with modified schedules on Monday, while at least one private bus operator, Boxcar, used by New Jersey workers, suspended its service because of the inclement weather.
New Jersey Transit, which halted bus, lightrail and train service on Sunday, said that it will resume operations in phases. The system’s three light rails will start for the morning commute while bus service will be determined based on road conditions later in the day.
The Long Island Rail Road is running on a weekend schedule, while Metro North trains are operating on an “enhanced Saturday schedule,” the MTA said in a statement on Sunday. Three of the main lines — Hudson, Harlem and New Haven — have reduced options.
Traffic during a winter storm in New York on Sunday.
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New York City’s subway and bus system is largely expected to run as scheduled, though multiple lines had delays on Monday morning.
“Public transit is continuing at this time, if anything there may be minimal service delays, but by and large it is as expected,” said New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani. He noted that the city is taking precautions, but advised commuters who can work remotely, to log on from home on Monday. For those who can’t, “we are doing everything we can to make it as least hazardous as possible”.
The heavy snow that fell across New York early on Sunday was expected to transition to sleet by nightfall, said Rob Carolan, chief executive officer of Hometown Forecast Services, Inc.
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New York mayor Zohran Mamdani at the New York City Emergency Management centre in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan 25.
Sleet — a crunchy layer of frozen raindrops — can contribute to slick conditions on streets and roads. While light snow could fall throughout the morning commute on Monday, Carolan said, “the worst of the weather ends after midnight” on Sunday.
The NYC Ferry shut down all lines on Sunday due to poor visibility, though service is anticipated to return to normal on Monday. The Staten Island Ferry was running on a reduced schedule.
More than 600 flights scheduled for Monday have been cancelled at Newark Liberty International Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, according to data from FlightAware.
New York governor Kathy Hochul also encouraged employers to allow their staff to clock in virtually on Monday.
“Stay off the roads,” she said in a Sunday briefing. “They’re going to be slick, icy, snow covered. If you can stay home with these extremely cold temperatures and hazardous roads, you and your family will be much more safe.”
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New York State employees have the go-ahead to work from home on Monday, and New Jersey said its offices would be closed and staff would log on virtually.
New York City’s public schools students are already planning for a day at home, with Chancellor Kamar Samuels announcing the system would pivot to remote learning on Monday, though he said there would be time for students to “enjoy the snow” as well.
Mamdani said he understood that students were upset about not having a traditional snow day, and welcomed that they pelt him with snowballs should they see him around the city.
But students at several private schools have no need to go on the offence — schools like the Upper East Side’s The Dalton School and Trinity School on the Upper West Side called off lessons.
“Trinity is trading textbooks for snow boots tomorrow, Monday, January 26! Because of the heavy snowfall making travel difficult, school is closed tomorrow,” the school advised on X. “Be safe, be warm, and enjoy the snow!”
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