MTA NYC Latest News & Updates: LIRR Operating on Weekday Schedule, PATH Service Resumed

Nearly two weeks after Sandy battered the tri-state area, New York City's transit system is almost fully restored.

Today, the Long Island Rail Road began operating a weekday schedule on 10 of its 11 branches as two of the Amtrak East River Tunnels flooded during Hurricane Sandy are reopened.

"We are continuing step by step to bring back our public transportation system after the tremendous damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, and the restoration of most of the LIRR service will help alleviate inconveniences caused by this catastrophic storm," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "I commend the hard work done by the MTA to get the regional transportation system running again so New Yorkers can get back to normal life as quickly as possible."

Nineteen of the LIRR's 143 morning rush hour trains will be canceled or diverted to another terminal. In the evening rush hour, of the 127 trains the LIRR operates, 23 will be canceled. Overall, across the entire day, the adjustments provide for 83 percent of normal weekday service capacity.

"We know this has been a very difficult two weeks for our customers, for all of Long Island and for the entire region," LIRR President Helena E. Williams said. "We are as eager as our customers to return to normal service as part of the on-going recovery process. We appreciate the cooperation and patience our customers have demonstrated throughout this period. We will continue to work aggressively with Amtrak to assure full restoration of service as quickly as possible."

Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, formerly known as the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, has re-opened for limited rush-hour bus service.

MTA express buses from Brooklyn and Staten Island will use one lane of one tube for inbound service from 6 to 10 a.m., and for outbound service from 3 to 7 p.m. The tunnel will remain closed at other times.

"The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel is the longest under-river vehicular tunnel in North America, and no one has ever faced a challenge like this," MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota said. "It was filled floor to ceiling for more than a mile with water and debris. The fact that it is now ready for limited commuter service is a testament to the skill and dedication of our hard-working MTA Bridges and Tunnels employees."

PATH rail service resumed at the Newark Penn and Harrison stations in New Jersey to Manhattan. Trains will run in both directions until 10 p.m. between Newark Penn, New Jersey and 33rd Street in New York.