SEPTA and NJ Transit Restore Service After Blizzard

SEPTA and NJ Transit restore limited service after historic blizzard dumps 2 feet of snow

SEPTA, NJ Transit Resume After Blizzard Suspensions

Transit service is returning to southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey after the Blizzard of '26 forced widespread suspensions Monday. SEPTA began restoring bus service in Philadelphia with more than 20 routes back on the road, while NJ Transit resumed light rail operations on modified schedules. The storm dumped nearly 2 feet of snow across the region Sunday night and Monday, prompting travel bans and emergency declarations that halted most public transit.

Storm Triggers Emergency Response Across Three States

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued a disaster emergency declaration Sunday to allocate resources for storm response. New Jersey implemented a travel ban on most roads that expired at noon Monday, with commercial vehicle restrictions ending at 5 p.m. Delaware lifted driving restrictions in New Castle County Monday evening, though Level 2 restrictions remained in Kent and Sussex counties. The coordinated response across all three states reflected the storm's severity and its impact on regional transportation networks.

Transit Agencies Restore Service in Phases

SEPTA hoped to restore some Regional Rail service Monday afternoon and reopened the Center City trolley tunnels. Access Paratransit service resumed at 3 p.m. NJ Transit started resuming operations with Newark Light Rail and River Line running on a Sunday schedule around 4 p.m. Monday. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail resumed service around 6 p.m. on a weekend schedule. Transit officials said the phased restoration allowed crews to clear tracks and assess infrastructure damage from the heavy snowfall.

Modified Schedules Continue Through Tuesday

On Tuesday, most NJ Transit rail services will operate on a Presidents Day schedule, while bus, Light Rail, and Access Link services will run on regular weekday schedules. SEPTA officials didn't specify when full service would resume across all modes. The modified schedules allow agencies to maintain service while crews continue clearing snow from stations, tracks, and bus routes throughout the region.

Riders Should Expect Continued Disruptions

Commuters should expect possible delays, cancellations, or detours as services return to normal, transit officials said. The storm's impact on infrastructure and ongoing snow removal efforts mean full service restoration will take several days. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on SEPTA and NJ Transit routes as agencies work to restore normal operations throughout the week.