More on Metro-North, Subways Shut Down

The MTA [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] has been directed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to begin an orderly shutdown and suspension of all subway, bus and commuter railroad service at 7 p.m. Sunday.

[Editor's note: The online announcement is here. Specific information about Metro-North is at the end of the announcement on this page. See also this news release on Patch for more specific information on the Metro-North shutdown. ]

The decision was made to protect customers, employees and equipment from the wrath of Hurricane Sandy as the strong storm continues its march up the east coast.

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.

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See also: Hurricane Sandy News Center for Darien, a central spot for Darien Patch's coverage of the expected storm. You can bookmark the page and quickly find all of our coverage, organized to help you get to it quicker and easier.

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Any previously scheduled trips after that time, including subscription trips, are canceled. Customers 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. 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. Customers and the media should monitor this website or call 511 for the most current service information.

[Editor's note: The full announcement gives particular information on various lines, including Long Island Rail Road, omitted on this Patch page. Here is what the announcement says about Metro-North and the New York City subway & bus system:]

Metro-North

Metro-North Railroad’s last trains on all lines will depart at approximately 7 p.m. today.

This will allow customers to safely reach their final destinations, either northbound or southbound, and to suspend service in an orderly manner.

One train that has been cancelled prior to tonight’s service suspension is the Train to the Game, Metro-North’s direct service from New Haven to the 1 p.m. Jets-Dolphins game at MetLife stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey.

The service suspension will allow all trains en route to complete their runs so that customers are not stranded unexpectedly.

Metro-North urges its customers not wait until the last train to get home. 

Grand Central Terminal, including its shops and restaurants, and all outlying Metro-North station buildings will be closed for the duration of the service suspension.

The Metro-North suspension also will affect all service on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

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New York City Transit (Bus and Subway service)

MTA New York City Transit/MTA Bus reminds customers that all bus and subway services will begin an orderly suspension of service at 7 p.m. this evening for subways, and 9:00 p.m. for buses in anticipation of the high winds and heavy rains driven by Hurricane Sandy.

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. 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.