SEPTA Restores Service After Historic Snowfall

SEPTA and NJ Transit resume limited service after Blizzard of '26 drops 2 feet of snow

SEPTA Resumes Service After Blizzard of '26

SEPTA's resuming bus and rail service in Philadelphia after the Blizzard of '26 dumped nearly 2 feet of snow across the region. More than 20 bus routes returned to service Monday afternoon as New Jersey's travel ban expired at noon, transit officials said. The Center City trolley tunnels reopened and Access Paratransit service resumed at 3 p.m., though commuters should expect delays as operations return to normal.

Storm Triggers Multi-State Transit Shutdown

The major winter storm hit southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware on Sunday night and Monday, prompting travel restrictions across all three states. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued a disaster emergency declaration Sunday to allocate resources for storm response. Several public transit services suspended operations Monday as the region dealt with one of its heaviest snowfalls in recent years. Transit agencies typically suspend service during severe weather to protect riders and operators when road conditions become hazardous.

Phased Service Restoration Across Region

SEPTA hoped to restore some Regional Rail service Monday afternoon alongside the bus route resumptions, officials said. NJ Transit started resuming operations around 4 p.m. Monday with Newark Light Rail and River Line running on Sunday schedules. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail resumed service around 6 p.m. on a weekend schedule. Delaware lifted driving restrictions in New Castle County Monday evening, while Level 2 restrictions remained in Kent and Sussex counties as crews continued clearing roads.

Modified Schedules Continue Tuesday

Most NJ Transit rail services will operate on a Presidents Day schedule Tuesday, while bus, Light Rail, and Access Link services will run on regular weekday schedules, officials said. New Jersey's commercial vehicle restrictions ended at 5 p.m. Monday, allowing freight and delivery services to resume. Transit agencies said they're working to restore full service as quickly as conditions allow, though specific timelines for complete restoration weren't provided.

Riders Face Continued Disruptions

Commuters should expect possible delays, cancellations, or detours as services return to normal following the historic snowfall. Transit officials said crews are working to clear snow from stations, platforms, and rail lines throughout the region. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on SEPTA and NJ Transit services as schedules continue to normalize in coming days.