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Bitter Cold Impacting Commute By Rail, Road And River

EDGEWATER, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - The arctic blast has hampered the commute across the region, regardless of the mode of transportation.

As CBS 2's Andrea Grymes reported from Edgewater, N.J., the frigid conditions are to blame for an icy Hudson River.

As a result, the commute was not smooth sailing for those who take the ferry.

Chopper 2 captured a NY Waterway ferry slow to almost a complete stop as it maneuvered around ice Thursday morning.

The vessel revved its engine and changed course to continue its route.

WEB EXTRA: Check Forecast | NY Waterway | MTA | LIRR | Metro-North

The extreme icy conditions caused delays for riders waiting at the Edgewater Marina.

"It's chilly and it's a little frustrating if you have no information and you can't plan to go inside for 20 or 30 minutes since the ferry's not coming," ferry rider Ivan Presant told Grymes.

As thick slabs of ice floated past the dock, bundled up commuters tried to stay warm. Some commuters, though, said they didn't mind the bitter cold.

"I moved here from California because I was missing my winter," ferry rider Peter Racz told Grymes.

A ferry finally did show up.

"At least I'm only going to be only 100 minutes late to work. Less than two hours," said Presant. "Yeah, it should be fine."

A crew member described conditions as horrible on the river. A passenger aboard the slow going ferry agreed.

"It was really bad, the ferry was really slow but finally I could make it to Edgewater," ferry rider Ainlaki Urreta said.

NY Waterway has been tweeting about conditions to keep passengers updated.

A spokesperson said they're working to provide the most up-to-date information, including through its text alert system.

Delays continued for the evening commute, CBS 2's Alice Gainer reported.

For the carless, the cold is an added blow to getting around.

As CBS 2's Sonia Moghe reported from the Upper West Side, some waited for delayed buses, others for taxis that wouldn't stop.

For one man who suffers from a lung disorder, the cold air made it hard to breathe while he waited for the M11 bus.

"Eleven degrees, I have COPD, I have asthma. It's hard to breathe in this," said Ray Lamb.

An MTA driver waiting to fill his empty bus said despite weather delays, people were simply happy to have a ride.

"As I pull up into the bus stop, most people are just shivering, expecting the bus to come and be on time. When it comes in, they're just glad to see me," said a driver.

The MTA said local, express and limited buses in Manhattan are delayed because of snow.

Upper East Side streets looked much better Thursday afternoon than a day ago. But they're expected to ice over Thursday night, Gainer reported.

Some criticized the city's handling of snow removal on the Upper East Side.

"Much better today but it was very scary the past two days," said one woman.

"More traffic in the city, though, today so I think it's a little harder to get around because more cars are back in the city," another Upper East Sider said.

Downed wires on Metro-North's New Haven line left about 200 passengers stranded without heat for about two hours Wednesday night.

As a result, delays persist on that line Thursday.

Commuters at the Mineola Long Island Rail Road station were dressed in layers and thinking of Bermuda, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.

"Thermal everywhere, double gloves. All good," one commuter told Xirinachs.

Frigid Temperatures Linger Across Tri-State Area

Most riders are huddled into the warmer waiting room, avoiding the bone-chilling platform until they hear the train approaching.

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