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12/2/2019
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) yesterday announced crews are prepared to deploy snow removal and de-icing equipment across its rail fleet in anticipation for harsh winter weather conditions expected to hit New York City.
All rail services, including MTA’s New York City Transit (NYCT) subway, the Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), will run normally today and will be monitored for schedule changes.
"We are prepared to keep our services up and running during winter storms, so that our customers can get to where they need to go,” MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren said in a press release. “We have prepositioned crews and have specialized storm fighting equipment at the ready, to ensure that we are prepared for whatever mother nature throws at us."
NYCT crews will activate 1,600 third-rail heaters and 500 snow melting devices at switches systemwide, as well as sand and de-ice platforms and stairs at subway stations. Subway crews are also equip with seven de-icer train cars, 10 snowthrowers and four jetblowers.
Meanwhile, Metro-North Railroad crews are ready to deploy 220 snowblowers, 70 pickup truck plows and over 1,800 ice scrapers.
LIRR is equipped with 30 third-rail heaters, 60 snow switch covers, 46 snowblowers, 28 salt spreaders, nine snow jets, two snow brooms and three cold air blowers.