MTA Prepares for First Snowfall of 2025

Snow and Frigid Temperatures Expected to Impact the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island Starting Sunday Evening

MTA Crews Prepositioned to Respond to Any Weather-Related Issues

With the first snowfall of 2025 expected across the New York area tonight, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) detailed all-agency preparations made to keep customers and employees safe, while delivering as much reliable service as possible.

MTA employees will be deployed throughout the operating region spreading salt and clearing surfaces of snow, keeping signals, switches, and third rails operating, and attending to any weather-related challenges.

Those who travel are urged to allow extra travel time and be cautious on station staircases and platforms, as well as when boarding and exiting trains. For service updates, customers should monitor service on mta.info, the TrainTime app, the MYmta app, and the MTA's social media feeds.

Metro-North Railroad
In preparation for winter storms, snow-fighting equipment is winterized, tested, and strategically positioned at facilities around the system.

Protective heat circuits have been verified to be operational, air brake lines purged of any moisture to prevent them from freezing, and electric trains have been fitted with special third rail shoes to prevent snow from accumulating. Switches - the interlocking tracks that allow rail traffic controllers to route trains from one track to another - use electric switch heaters to melt snow.

As a reminder, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Metro-North will operate on a Saturday schedule with additional train service during the normal peak periods. For more information, read this press release or consult the TrainTime app.

New York City Subway
While the underground portions of the subway system remain unaffected during snowstorms, there are nearly 220 miles of outdoor track throughout the boroughs. The Rockaway ​​, Sea Beach ​, Flushing ​, Brighton ​​ and Dyre Av ​ lines are particularly vulnerable to snow and freezing precipitation. NYC Transit's Department of Subways has a fleet of emergency response equipment including debris trains and de-icer trains ready to deploy and respond to icy conditions.

Crews are monitoring switches and tracks to ensure they are working properly, along with salting and clearing snow from elevated station platforms, exposed stairs and subway entrances.

Field personnel are staged at critical locations including stations and yards, ready to deploy and respond to snow conditions.

New York City Buses
Almost 700 40-foot standard buses have been fitted with chains ahead of tonight's snowfall. Articulated buses have been taken out of service for the duration of this storm and replaced by 40-foot standard buses. All divisions have extra personnel on duty closely monitoring service, clearing the snow and ready to respond to issues that arise during the storm.

NYC Transit has 35 snow-fighting vehicles in its fleet, that have been strategically staged ahead of the storm and operate on predetermined routes to quickly reach terminals, lay-over locations and other highly trafficked areas. Certain areas will be salted in an effort to prevent any stuck buses.

Bus service will be adjusted based on road conditions around the city and service curtailments on a route-by-route basis are possible. Bus managers have technology that tracks headways and service in real time allowing them to make service-related decisions more efficiently.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels
MTA Bridges and Tunnels personnel have activated full inclement weather preparedness for all facilities and the Operations Command Center Weather Desk will monitor the forecast. Staff will coordinate throughout the storm to ensure a quick response to any weather-related issues that may arise. Almost 8,700 tons of roadway de-icer and 107 pieces of equipment are ready for deployment.

Bridges are equipped with embedded roadway sensors which measure temperature and above-ground atmospheric sensors that deliver real-time information on wind velocity, wind direction, humidity, and precipitation via wireless communication.

Restrictions may be put in place if weather conditions warrant.

Long Island Rail Road
Long Island Rail Road crews will be out across the service territory working to keep trains moving with equipment on hand to be able to respond quickly as conditions warrant.

De-icing trains will be running to keep third rails clear of snow and ice, while crews are strategically positioned throughout the system helping to keep switches clear and operable. In addition, switch heaters will be activated to prevent track switches from freezing using natural gas burners and electrical heating elements.

Access-A-Ride
Access-A-Ride paratransit will continue to provide service. Customers may experience additional delays and wait times. Customers may want to consider adjusting their travel plans.

Paratransit Command Center will be monitoring the storm to track and respond to any customer or day-of service issues.

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