Major U.S. Public Transit Systems Suspend Some Services During Storm
Officials in several cities, including Boston, New York and Philadelphia, advised residents to avoid traveling if possible through the weekend.
From Boston to Atlanta, transit authorities in U.S. cities were hurrying over the weekend to salt waiting areas and adjust schedules for trains and buses as severe snow and sleet barreled across the country.
Officials in many cities asked passengers to avoid nonessential travel as more than 140 million people remained under a winter storm warning on Sunday. Up to a foot and a half of snow could fall in some areas of New England through Monday, forecasters said.
In New York, the agency that manages the nation’s largest subway system told travelers that it would be safest to steer clear of travel on Sunday and Monday.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that it planned to remove articulated buses — the extra-long vehicles with an accordionlike middle — from service, adding that riders should expect longer wait times on local routes. The authority plans to run shorter buses with snow chains to improve traction during the storm.
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The agency, as well as other city transit authorities, also asked that people who did use transit on Sunday be careful when entering or exiting trains and buses, as well as on station platforms and stairs, because of the slick, icy conditions.
The Long Island Rail Road will run on a modified Sunday schedule, with no service between Ronkonkoma and Greenport, the authority said in a news release. There will also be reduced Babylon Branch service, including no direct trains to or from Grand Central.
In New Jersey, NJ Transit suspended all bus, rail and Access Link services beginning early Sunday morning. By 2 p.m. Sunday, all rail services will also be suspended, and will remain so for the rest of the day.
In Philadelphia, regional rail lines and the city’s trolley service were suspended on Sunday, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, said in an advisory. All regional rail, buses, paratransit and the G1 metro route will also be suspended by 2 p.m. on Sunday.
“Heavy, wet snow and ice can damage infrastructure, while strong winds increase the risk of service disruptions,” SEPTA said. “Road conditions — particularly on hills and narrow streets — can also limit bus operations.”
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In Atlanta, the only operational bus routes on Sunday will be those that provide direct service to major medical facilities and hospitals, the area’s transit authority said. Trains will run every 20 minutes. There could be more changes to service, including more suspensions, on Sunday, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA, said.
In Boston, emergency crews will remain on standby during the storm to respond to rail issues, switch problems and flooding. Many buses were operating on snow routes on Sunday. Riders could expect normal weekend service for trains, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said in a news release.
On Monday, commuter rail lines will operate on reduced storm schedules, which provide about one-third of regular weekday service on all lines, the agency said. The M.B.T.A. said that more than 1,000 snow blowers, salt trucks and plows could be deployed across its commuter rail network before the storm.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in the nation’s capital said on Friday that about 2,800 employees would be working to keep trains and buses operational during the storm.
“Our team has been in full prep mode for this storm by staging equipment, supplies, and personnel,” Randy Clarke, the chief executive of Metro, said in a news release. “We will provide as much service as safe conditions allow.”
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While trains in the region can operate normally with some snow, “service may be delayed or suspended in extreme conditions,” the agency said.
If the region receives more than eight inches of snow, aboveground train service will most likely be suspended, the agency said on its website.
GTA residents urged to ‘stay home’ during storm, as snow accumulation could reach 60 cm
City of Toronto declared significant weather event, activated its major snow event response plan
Arrthy Thayaparan · CBC News · Posted: Jan 25, 2026 9:42 AM MST | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
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As heavy snow blankets the Greater Toronto Area, several municipal services have been impacted due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
Environment Canada, which has issued a severe orange weather warning, said snow accumulation may near or exceed 60 centimetres, particularly for southern areas of Etobicoke and Mississauga. Peak snowfall rates range from five to 10 centimetres per hour and a total of 30 to 50 centimetres of snow are expected to fall.
Residents are being warned of dangerous travel conditions, including the possibility of near-zero visibility at times.
Prior to Sunday’s storm, Toronto had already recorded 105 centimetres of snow this winter, Environment Canada climatologist David Phillips told CBC Toronto Sunday afternoon — that’s nearly double what the city normally gets between November and January.
“[Toronto and the GTA] is absolutely going to be the snowiest place in Canada today,” he said. “The amounts of snow are quite impressive.”
Phillips said about 18 centimetres of snow had already fallen as of 2 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest impacts to transit, flights and your municipality.
Service cancellations on TTC, over half of Pearson flights cancelled
Across the city, 48 bus stops are not in service to avoid the risk of buses getting stuck in the heavy snow, according to the TTC’s website.
Commuters taking transit are encouraged to plan ahead and take extra time for travel, said the TTC on social media.
Service on Line 2 resumed between Kipling and Islington stations after it temporarily shut down at two instances for a switch issue, the transit organization said.
Service on Line 2 was down once again between Victoria Park and Kennedy stations Sunday afternoon due to weather conditions, the TTC said in a post to social media. Service on Line 2 between Jane and St George stations was also down due to the storm.
In an update Sunday evening, the TTC said service between Jane and St George stations had resumed.
On Sunday afternoon, the TTC also said there was no service on Line 1 between Lawrence and St Clair stations due to weather conditions.
The TTC also said shuttle buses are running along Line 6 as of 11:29 a.m. In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, the TTC said there is no service between Finch West and Humber College stations due to a mechanical problem.
CBC News reached out to the TTC for comment.
About 60 per cent of Pearson International Airport’s departing flights over the next 24 hours and 62 per cent of arriving flights over the next 24 hours have been cancelled as of 11:15 a.m. Sunday, according to the airport’s website.
According to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s website, 23 departing flights and 22 arriving flights have been cancelled on Sunday.
PHOTOS | Sunday’s blizzard slams Toronto:
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Roads will be slippery and snow-covered throughout the day Sunday and possibly Monday, said Toronto police on social media.
It reminded residents to not park in snow routes and steer clear of snowplows.
In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, Toronto police said a snowplow struck a gas line in the area of Queen Street W. and Niagara Street. Businesses and residents from Claremont Street to Manning Avenue were being evacuated, but no injuries were reported.
Toronto Fire told CBC Toronto 40 people were evacuated.
Toronto police said a TTC bus would serve as a shelter. Sidewalks and roadways on the block are closed.
In a post to social media Sunday, the Ontario Provincial Police said it has responded to approximately 100 collisions in the past 24 hours.
“No reports of any serious collisions so far,” the OPP said. “#EyesUp, slow down, drive safe. Be prepared for treacherous driving conditions. Stay home if you can.”
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said provincial police have also responded to 100 calls for vehicles stuck in ditches or snow banks.
“It has been a busy day,” he told CBC Toronto Sunday. “[The weather] is certainly catching many drivers by surprise.”
Schmidt said as we head into the evening, it’s important to remain vigilant.
“It’ll be even harder to see where you’re going,” he said. “You have to have your full attention.”
Schmidt said drivers should ensure their vehicle is cleared of snow, their full headlight system is on and give themselves extra space to stop.
“Just be patient and be kind, be considerate and understand that it’s a challenge for everybody out on the roads,” he said. “Don’t be in a hurry and let’s all get to where we’re going safely, although it will take some time.”
In a post to social media Sunday evening, the OPP said there had been 57 crashes in west region in the past 12 hours.
“The #snow is falling and our phones are ringing,” provincial police said. “#OPP urging drivers to slow down, and if possible stay home and OFF the roads.”
Toronto libraries closed, schools monitor weather
The City of Toronto has declared a significant weather event and activated its major snow event response plan.
The city’s plan means its emergency operations centre will be activated to coordinate resources, communications and operations across divisions. It also means support staff will be redeployed to assist with snow clearing, inspections and towing.
It also means there will be enhanced parking enforcement and towing strategy to remove vehicles obstructing snow routes and winter operations crews.
WATCH | Toronto declares significant weather event, activates snow event response plan:
‘There’s no question’ Toronto snowstorm will have big impact on Monday commutes: city manager
1 hour ago|
Duration9:49Mayor Olivia Chow provided a Sunday evening update on snow operations, as the city declared its second major snow event of 2026.
Plowing has started on expressways and major roads as snow begins to accumulate, said the City of Toronto on social media.
In a post to social media Sunday evening, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said there were more than 600 snowplows on roads and sidewalks and over 1,300 city staff and contractors clearing the snow.
It said city crews will be out around the clock to ensure clear access to roads, sidewalks and bikeways.
“Please stay home if you can and if you must travel, stay safe and give crews space to safely perform their work,” said the city.
At a news conference Sunday evening, the city’s manager Paul Johnson said no parking is allowed on major snowplow routes as of 4 p.m. Sunday. He said crews are focusing on Scarborough first and transit routes have priority.
Johnson added it will be a challenge to move around Monday.
“Give yourself a little extra time if you have to go somewhere first thing tomorrow morning. It’s the beginning of the work week. We know,” he said. “This is going to take us into Monday, there’s no question.”
Johnson said there will three rounds of plowing Sunday and multiple more overnight.
The Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Dufferin-Peel District School Board, York Region District School Board and Peel District School Board all declared schools would be closed Monday due to the weather conditions.
Halton District School Board, Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board have not yet announced whether or not school will be cancelled Monday.
The city announced several cancellations of its services on social media, including:
- Recreation programs at schools.
- All registered and instructional programs on Sunday afternoon.
- Outdoor skating lessons.
- Museum and cultural centre closures.
- All library branches are closed.
- Outdoor ice rinks may close temporarily for snow clearing.
In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, the city said all community centres, arenas and outdoor rinks will close at 6 p.m.
The Toronto District School Board said on social media that all permits for school usage on Sunday have been cancelled.
The University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus was closed Sunday due to hazardous conditions. Toronto Metropolitan University’s campus was also closed due to severe weather Sunday.
Mississauga: Street parking restriction to come at 2 p.m.
In a news release Sunday evening, Peel Region declared a significant weather event and urged residents to stay off roads.
A citywide parking restriction will be issued at 2 p.m. Sunday to suspend all street parking, including temporary and monthly permits, said the City of Mississauga on social media.
It said cars found blocking snowplow routes will be fined.
Libraries, city hall and outdoor rinks are closed, while community centres and arenas will close at noon, due to the heavy snow, said the city.
Transit service may face delays or cancellations as weather conditions change through the day, said Mississauga transit service MiWay on social media.
Brampton libraries closed due to ‘treacherous weather’
Libraries throughout Brampton are closed as of 11:52 a.m. due to the “treacherous weather,” said Brampton Libraries on social media.
Community recycling centres throughout Peel Region were closed as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday to ensure the safety of staff and residents, said the region on social media.
It said centres will re-open at regular hours on Monday depending on the weather
Vaughan says help needed to clear catch basins
Service Vaughan received a large number of calls Sunday about blocked catch basins and fire hydrants, said the City of Vaughan.
It’s requesting residents to help clear any blockages seen in their neighbourhoods.
The city declared a significant weather event Sunday morning and said it might take longer than usual to clear roads, sidewalks and bike lanes.
Community centres and libraries in Vaughan remain open for the time being.
