Philadelphia Public And Archdiocesan Schools Closed Tuesday, Transit Affected Throughout Region
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter enacted a Snow Emergency at 6 p.m. Monday.
Nutter made the announcement during a news conference Monday afternoon at City Hall, announcing all non-essential city employees would be dismissed at 2 p.m. Monday. Furthermore, all public and parochial schools closed Monday at 12 p.m.
Late Monday night, Mayor Nutter announced all City offices including the Courts are closed Tuesday for non-essential personnel. Philadelphia Public and Archdiocesan schools are also closed on Tuesday.
For Tuesday: SEPTA's Regional Rail trains are on a Saturday schedule. Cynwyd trains will not operate. The Norristown High Speed line is operating on a regular weekday schedule.
A/B skip-stop service is canceled on the Market/Frankford Line. All trains will service all stations.
New Jersey Transit service is still suspended until further notice. PATCO is on a special snow schedule. Around 50 SEPTA bus routes are detoured because of weather.
If you're taking any of the big bridges, Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross - there is a speed restriction of 35 miles per hour.
PECO reported less than 1,000 power outages in Philadelphia and Delaware County early Tuesday morning.
Mayor Nutter on Monday encouraged all residents to remove their cars from all Snow Emergency routes. He stressed during the news conference that any cars left on Snow Emergency routes will be towed. "If you're on a snow emergency route, move your car," Nutter said.
LIST: Snow Emergency Routes
Nutter also touched on the requirement for homeowners to clear a three foot path in front of their property within six hours of the end of snow event.
"Do not throw snow back into the street, it is dangerous and an insult to the work of the Philadelphia Streets crews," Nutter said, adding that throwing snow back into the street could lead to a fine.
It is the goal of the city, Nutter said, to clear all residential streets between 48 and 72 hours after the snow stops. The mayor also said there will be no trash collection Tuesday.
While the Snow Emergency is in effect, Nutter said select parking garages in Center City Philadelphia will offer a flat rate of $5 for a 24 hour period.
SEPTA's Market Frankford and Broad Street Line Trains operated all-night Monday into Tuesday, announcing no BSL or MFL OWL bus service. All Regional Rail trains will operate on a Saturday schedule beginning at the start of service Tuesday, January 27. For more information, visit septa.org.
In a light-hearted moment, Nutter referenced the habit of snow-weary shoppers to head to the grocery store to stock up on bread, milk and cinnamon. "Philadelphia is apparently the city of French Toast," Nutter said.
