SEPTA and NJ Transit Resume After Blizzard

SEPTA and NJ Transit restore limited bus and light rail service after blizzard

SEPTA, NJ Transit Resume After Blizzard Suspensions

Transit riders across the Philadelphia and New Jersey region can return to buses, trains, and light rail after the Blizzard of '26 forced widespread service suspensions Monday. SEPTA resumed bus service in Philadelphia with more than 20 routes operating, while NJ Transit restarted Newark Light Rail and River Line service around 4 p.m. Monday on Sunday schedules. The storm dumped nearly 2 feet of snow across southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, prompting travel bans and emergency declarations that halted most public transit operations.

Storm Response Triggered Emergency Measures

The major winter storm hit Sunday night and Monday, leading Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to issue 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. Transit agencies across all three states suspended services Monday as snow accumulation made roads and tracks impassable.

Phased Service Restoration Across Systems

SEPTA's Center City trolley tunnels reopened Monday, and Access Paratransit service resumed at 3 p.m. The agency hoped to restore some Regional Rail service Monday afternoon, though specific timelines for full restoration weren't provided. NJ Transit's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail resumed service around 6 p.m. Monday on a weekend schedule. 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.

Modified Schedules Through Tuesday

Transit agencies implemented reduced schedules as services returned Monday evening and Tuesday. NJ Transit's Newark Light Rail and River Line operated on Sunday schedules Monday afternoon, while the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail ran weekend service. Tuesday's operations will see most NJ Transit rail services on Presidents Day schedules, with bus and light rail returning to regular weekday service. SEPTA didn't specify exact schedules for restored Regional Rail service.

Riders Face Lingering Delays

Commuters should expect possible delays, cancellations, or detours as services return to normal following the historic snowfall. Snow removal efforts continue across the region, and transit agencies are working to clear tracks, platforms, and bus stops. Officials said residual impacts from the storm may affect service reliability through the week. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on SEPTA and NJ Transit routes as systems work toward full restoration.