The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has begun to mobilize its storm recovery procedures in anticipation of near blizzard conditions.
MTA spokesman Sal Arena told the Herald that the Long Island Rail Road will provide extra service on all lines leaving Penn Station from 2 to 5 p.m. this afternoon, for commuters who are leaving work early, he said.
"We don’t want to have anyone in harm’s way," Arena said. "We don’t want people stranded on trains... We want to get everyone home safely tonight."
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Arena said the MTA has also acquired a new piece of equipment this season, known as a "ditcher spreader," which he said will be used to clear large snow drifts on tracks, specifically the eastbound Ronkonkoma line.
While no service delays or suspensions have been reported, as of yet, MTA officials will continue to monitor the U.S. National Weather Service as heavier snow begins to fall. For more updates on train delays or cancellations during the expected storm, visit the regularly modified LIRR train schedule at http://web.mta.info/lirr/Timetable/Modified.htm.