NEW YORK - Major transportation systems in the New York metropolitan area will begin shutting down, this evening, in preparation for Huricane Sandy:

MTA:

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will begin the orderly suspension of all subway, bus and commuter railroad service at 7 p.m. Sunday to protect customers, employees and equipment from the approach of Hurricane Sandy.

The New York City subway system will begin to curtail service after 7 p.m., and the New York City bus system within the following two hours. Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road will start their final trains by 7 p.m. Subway and railway stations will be closed after the last trains.

Customers who need to travel today should do so as soon as possible and not wait until the last train or bus is departing. Anyone who does not leave for their destination before 7 p.m. runs the risk of being stranded when service is suspended. New York City Transit, Metro-North and the LIRR will cross-honor each other’s passes today to speed the process of returning customers to their homes.

“The transportation system is the lifeblood of the New York City region, and suspending all service is not a step I take lightly,” Governor Cuomo said. “But keeping New Yorkers safe is the first priority, and the best way to do that is to make sure they are out of harm’s way before gale-force winds can start wreaking havoc on trains and buses.”

The MTA Hurricane Plan calls for suspending service hours before the approach of winds of 39 mph and higher. That gives MTA crews time to prepare rail cars, buses, tunnels, yards and buildings for the storm, then return to safety. Winds of 39 mph and higher are predicted to reach the metropolitan region during the predawn hours Monday.

“The MTA proved it can suspend service in an orderly manner when it did so last year for Tropical Storm Irene, and we have refined our Hurricane Plan since then to help us prepare for Hurricane Sandy,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota. “This storm will batter the MTA, but the precautions we take now will allow us to recover much more quickly.”

PATH:

Due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Sandy, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will suspend all PATH service beginning tonight at midnight. The decision follows an announcement by New York Governor Cuomo to suspend MTA subways, buses and commuter rail system beginning at 7 p.m. tonight.

The PATH system is being closed to passengers so that trains and stations can be secured in advance of the storm, and protected against damage from high winds and water. PATH service will resume as soon as conditions permit.

At the Port Authority’s five major airports, the Port Authority expects all carriers to cease operations tonight.  American Airlines and United Airlines already indicated they will cease flight activity and Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, USAirways and other carriers are expected to make announcements later today. Air travelers are strongly encouraged to call their carriers to make sure their flight will be departing before going to the airport. There are no plans at this time to close any of the airports.

The Port Authority is bringing in a full complement of airport operations and Customer Care Representatives to assist passengers who may become stranded at the airports. All airports also will be equipped with a sufficient supply of cots and other essentials to assist passengers. In addition, at least one food service vendor will remain open in all airport terminals around the clock through the duration of the storm.

At the Newark AirTrain and JFK AirTrain systems, airport officials will closely monitor wind conditions and close both systems if a wind threshold of 30+ mph is reached.  However, with the MTA subway and commuter rail service suspended as of 7 p.m. tonight, air passengers will not be able to access the JFK AirTrain system after 7 p.m. this evening.  

At the agency’s tunnels and bridges, Port Authority staff will closely monitor the wind and flooding conditions. Closures will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on high winds, rainfall and roadway conditions, however closures are highly likely beginning tomorrow.  Motorists are urged to drive at reduced speeds when roadways are wet, and pay close attention to posted electronic messages for important information.