MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota announced that
service on NYC Transit subways will be curtailed
beginning at 7 p.m., and the bus network within the
following two hours. Long Island Rail Road and
Metro-North Railroad will start their final trains by 7
p.m. from terminal locations. Subway and rail road
stations will be closed after the last trains pass
through stations. Outbound Access-A-Ride trips are being
scheduled only until 12 p.m. today, and return trips
will continue until 5 p.m. Any previously scheduled
trips after that time, including subscription trips, are
canceled.
Passengers are advised to adjust their plans and travel
early in the day as possible and not wait until the last
train or bus. Anyone who does not leave for their
destination before 7 p.m. runs the risk of being
stranded when service is suspended.
From 5 p.m. until service is suspended in advance
of Hurricane Sandy, New York City Transit subways and
buses, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North
Railroad are cross-honoring fares within the five
boroughs of New York City in order to facilitate safe
trips home or to evacuation points.
The MTA Hurricane Plan calls for suspending service
hours before the approach of winds of 39 mph and higher.
That gives MTA crews time to prepare rail and subway
cars, buses, tunnels, yards and buildings for the storm,
then return to safety. Winds of 39 mph and higher are
predicted to reach the metropolitan region during the
predawn hours Monday.
The MTA has been preparing to suspend service for days
by readying recovery equipment, clearing drainage areas,
moving vehicles from low-lying areas at bus depots and
rail yards and sealing some tunnel access points. The
duration of the service suspension is unknown, and there
is no timetable for restoration. Service will be
restored only when it is safe to do so, after careful
inspections of all equipment and tracks. Even with
minimal damage this is expected to be a lengthy process.
NYC Transit subways will run normal service until 7
p.m., service on the bus network will begin to be
curtailed two hours later at 9:00 p.m. There will be
sufficient bus capacity to allow people to leave
vulnerable areas or reach safe destinations before
service is suspended. All scheduled weekend construction
projects have been canceled to allow for potential
evacuation and suspension of service.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels' seven bridges and two tunnels
will remain open Sunday evening. Closures will be
determined on a case-by-case basis based on high winds,
rainfall and roadway conditions.
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