The MBTA warned that extreme snowfall totals and the resulting massive cleanup effort will result in “a number of service changes” for travel through Tuesday.
There were between 16 to 30 inches of snow accumulation throughout the MBTA’s service area as of 4 p.m. Monday, and “today’s historic storm is already drawing comparisons to the Blizzard of 1978,” agency officials said in an email. “Time is needed for clearing and cleanup, and the MBTA will focus tomorrow on snow removal efforts while providing reduced transit service for those who need it.”
Subways lines and bus routes serving Cambridge and Somerville will run less frequently, similar to a Sunday schedule. Commuter Rail lines will operate on individual reduced storm schedules.
Ride paratransit service for seniors and people with disabilities will run as usual Tuesday, but customers should expect delays due to road conditions. People who use the service should avoid unnecessary travel and anticipate slippery conditions on sidewalks and walkways, T officials said.
The same message applied to all customers. “Riders who need to travel tomorrow should be safe, budget extra travel time, anticipate longer wait times between trains and buses – many of which will continue to operate on their snow routes – and to be patient while cleanup efforts continue,” MBTA officials said. “Crews will be working hard to clear snow and ice throughout the transit system tomorrow, and the public is reminded to use caution on platforms, at bus stops, when boarding/alighting trains, accessing stations and approaching railroad crossings.”
What the MBTA is doing
T officials outlined various winter-weather mitigation measures underway, including running nonpassenger trains to keep the tracks clear and look for dangerous trees or branches, cycling train sets in and out of rail yards so they don’t sit idle for extended periods and even opening and closing doors on unused trains and testing brakes and propulsion systems to avoid cold -weather damage such as moisture buildup and freezing.
MBTA emergency crews are on standby to respond to rail issues, issues affecting power systems and potential switch problems and flooding issues, and power crews will look out for ice buildup on catenary wires and use ice cutters installed on vehicles to remove ice from power lines.
The T said it has contractors ready for snow clearing along key bus routes and its own parking lots, freeing personnel to concentrate on things that affect customers, officials said. Keolis, the Commuter Rail company, is clearing snow, applying sand and salt to passenger areas and its parking lots, and responding to incidents such as downed trees.
The MBTA and Keolis have more than 1,000 pieces of snow fighting equipment, including blowers, salt trucks and plows, deployed across the Commuter Rail network, officials said.
MBTA riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts, download the MBTA Go app and follow the MBTA on social media.
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