While the worst of the storm has passed and flooding is beginning to subside, the MTA announced it is not yet ready to resume services.
The MTA has begun to assess the damage from the storm. Hurricane Irene’s effects could have been much worse, but the precautions of shutting down service and moving trains from yards that would flood was successful, said MTA Chairman Jay Walder.
Several places where the tracks took on water are now being pumped.
Before service can be restored all of the tracks have to be assessed and the equipment that was moved out of harm’s way must be put back in place.
The first service that will be restored will be the buses. Moving them away from potential flooding means they are ready for use. The condition of the streets must first be assessed.
NYPD and state police have offered chopper support so the MTA can assess damage quicker.
There is no timetable for when the subways and buses will be back running. When train service returns, it will be staggered.
“Tough commute tomorrow, but we have tough commutes all the time,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said to end his press conference.
Metro-North sustained the worst damge. There was flooding and power outages on all three lines.
All MTA bridges and tunnels are up and running. There are no tolls on the Throgs Neck, Whitestone and Rockaway bridges
