LIRR, NJ Transit resume service with modified schedules

The Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit and other commuter rails were back running Tuesday but with modified schedules after a major snowstorm hit the Tri-State Area.

Leaders urged riders to check their apps before leaving home and pack their patience as service slowly came back.

MTA officials said to allow for extra time and use caution on stairs and platforms while boarding or exiting trains or buses. 

Is the LIRR running?

The nation's busiest commuter railroad was partially down but not out as the Long Island Rail Road started on a limited service at 4 a.m. Tuesday on the Ronkonkoma, Huntington, Babylon, Oyster Bay, Montauk and Port Washington branches.

Many were running hourly or half-hourly services. There was also no service to and from Grand Central.

"It's outrageous. They spent billions and billions building Grand Central, and now in a snow storm, when we need it, we can't use it," said Charles D'Souza of the commuter group Passengers United. 

D'Souza said the group understands delays and cancellations, but faulted the communication. 

"It's just been an utter mess of communication," he said. "They should have given people a realistic expectation of when they can restore service." 

Some commuters just gave up on mass transit, and others went in search of where service was restored. 

"Trains were delayed 25 to 35 minutes, and you know it's freezing outside so it's hard to wait out there," one rider said. 

"One train came just past us. Not sure what was going on with the train this morning," said another man.

This was the railroad's first suspension in four years, as crews worked to clear 700 miles of tracks. The so-called "Darth Vader" train was used to blast through 25 inches of snow drifts, but social media was filled with rider rage, citing crowded cars from short trains, and questioning advance planning. 

LIRR President Rob Free said the winds were unprecedented in that they blew snow right back onto cleared tracks. 

Beginning Wednesday morning, however, regular service will resume into all three New York City terminals. 

Are NJ trains running today?

NJ Transit was operating on a Presidents Day holiday schedule, resuming around 5 a.m.

The exception was the Atlantic City line, which was operating on a weekday schedule. 

Midtown Direct service to Penn Station in New York City was running on the Morristown line.

The Montclair-Boonton and Gladstone Branch were diverted to Hoboken. NJ Transit cross-honored tickets with PATH, according to the website.

CEO Kris Kolluri said this was the biggest snowstorm the state has seen since 1996, with up to 21 inches along the coastline. Crews worked around the clock to park rail cars safely and clear tracks, he said.

"The fact that we were able to get the entire system back up and running within a few hours of the storm being over is a testament to the people who work tirelessly," Kolluri said. 

Light rails, buses and the access link were running regularly.

The Northeast Corridor was operating on a Presidents Day schedule, while the North Jersey Coast and Raritan lines had a regular weekday schedule.

Are the PATH trains running? 

Service is suspended between Newark-Grove St and Journal Square. Trains from Hoboken into the city are running.  

Is the Metro-North Railroad running

Metro-North operated on an enhanced Saturday schedule, running on a half-hourly service during the morning and evening hours on Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines.

The New Canaan and Danbury branches were on a weekend schedule. Waterbury and Wassaic branch services were replaced by buses, officials said.

The Hudson Rail Link was operating normally. The Port Jervis and Pascak Valley lines were operating on a Presidents Day schedule.

Are the subways running? 

Some express trains were running local. The Rockaway service remained modified, and the Staten Island Railway was still being restored. 

Officials encouraged riders to check the MTA app or Service Status to see what trains are impacted.

Are NYC buses running? 

Buses across the city were on winter weather schedules with longer travel times expected.