To those who real wish an explanation rather than just a forum for commuter complaints, I'll attempt to shed some light:
Suspending all operations in freezing weather virtually guarantees delays of 48 hours in returning service. That is why railroads administrated by professionals never do this. That is why the LIRR, before it was operated by political appointees always kept trains running and kept manpower on the job. When the governor ordered a "travel ban," it was necessary to close operations and send home employees. Nothing was maintained. Nothing was de-iced. Nothing was inspected.
Mobilization is a slow process. Employees sent home get snowed in. They develop other issues at home. They return to work slowly as public transportation is not running and roads are impassable. This takes many, many hours. Gas switch heaters have blown out. Kerosene heaters have long run dry. Equipment has missed its daily inspections. Crews are not in locations nor is equipment. Public platforms and sidewalks have not been cleared of snow and are covered with ice.
What would have been an ongoing battle with the elements by an established army of workers has become a cleanup operation as employees trickle back to work. This requires much more expense, manpower and time.
Past administrations had learned the impossibility of restarting operations during a rush hour. When 300,000 people show up on platform to get on "limited trains," the scene can't be pretty. It's just plain stupid to tell people to show up for a rush hour when service is limited. But there's a new President, new assistants, new advisors and a new public relations department that never did this before. The governor's office is calling the shots, and this governor doesn't ask for or listen to advice.
The MTA's communications channels with the public is a classic bureaucratic pork barrel. Nearly every communication must be funneled through the MTA, the Governor's office and through an outside private public relations press agency. Every office is manned with political appointees with experience in neither railroading nor public relations. Ever notice that the "LIRR Spokespersons" presented on the news change every two years? They are Democratic Committeemens' sons and daughters, politicians' nee-do-well cousins and nephews and kids, displaced Sanitation Department appointees. They don't know north from south, diesels from cantaloupes.
Want better? Make better choices on Election Day and demand better from those you elect. This isn't an operations problem, it's a political one.
