Mass Transit Updates: Delays, Suspensions As Massive Snowstorm Continues To Slam Tri-State Area

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Commuters dealt with some delays and suspensions all day and into the night Thursday, as they braved the whipping winds and fast-falling snow to get to and from work.

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NYC Ferry service was suspended. Staten Island Ferry service is operating on a midday schedule.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it is prepared for the winter storm, but there were  delays on subways and buses, as well as on Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road trains throughout the day.

LIRR service is suspended on the West Hempstead Branch, and Chairman Joe Lhota did express concerns about how prolonged freezing temperatures could affect the railroad.

Lhota said the LIRR is "completely exposed to the elements" and the MTA is doing everything it can to keep the tracks warm.

Join Dave Carlin for his walk to work: 

"We have snow blowers out, we're fully staffed, we've got our rail heaters working out on Long Island, we've got four deicer trains running, we've got our railbound jet blowers going. So we're as prepared as we can be but we've been well informed by Mother Nature in the past so we're going to be keeping a close eye on this storm," MTA Executive Director Ronnie Hakim told 1010 WINS.

There are also speed restrictions in place on some MTA bridge.

"We're watching our wind conditions on our bridges very carefully," Hakim said. "We want everybody to be careful out there."

NJ TRANSIT bus service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal was seeing delays of up to an hour in the early afternoon. The agency is cross honoring tickets systemwide.

The inclement weather was also causing delays and detours on Nassau Inter-County Express buses.

Amtrak is running on a modified scheduled between New York and Boston.

The morning commute was slow and ugly for many.

"My commute is horrendous, I've got a new job out on Long Island and I usually drive. Today I had to take two buses, a train and now I'm trying to get onto the Long Island Rail Road," a commuter at Atlantic Terminal said. "I couldn't drive it's just so horrendous out there. It's very very windy, and my drive would be just ridiculous. So it would take me two hours there now it's going to take me three hours. But either way, I've gotta get to work."

"It's very, very bad out here," said Ricky, who was waiting for the bus on Astoria Boulevard. "The snow is starting to stick really fast, hopefully it doesn't turn into ice."

"It's freezing, but I gotta get into work so you gotta do what you gotta do," said Matt as he walked to the subway in Queens.

There are concerns the evening rush could be worse.

"If you don't have to be out you shouldn't be out," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "Today is not the day to do unnecessary tasks."