NYC state of emergency: What you need to know about the New York City travel ban: Cars, buses, subway, trains, etc.
As New York is buffeted by a major snowstorm, the Big Apple’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has issued a citywide travel ban.
Amid blizzard conditions on the east coast of the United States, New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has declared a state of emergency as the Big Apple is buffeted by a major snowstorm.
Per the Weather Channel, snow is falling “at the rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour” in NYC and elsewhere in the northeastern U.S., with 60 mph wind gusts registered. “It’s already New York City’s heaviest snowstorm in five years,” the Weather Channel adds.
“Stay safe and stay inside”
Mamdani announced this weekend that New York City’s streets will be closed to non-essential vehicular traffic between 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 22, and 12 noon ET today, Monday, Feb. 23.
This is “to ensure emergency responders and essential workers can move safely and quickly”, the mayor’s office said in a statement.
“This is a very real blizzard that we’re seeing right now,” Mamdani told a news conference on Sunday. “And so, our message to New Yorkers is to stay safe [and] stay inside.”
During the New York City travel ban, most vehicles are prohibited from travelling on streets, highways, bridges and tunnels in the city’s five boroughs.
What vehicles are exempt from NYC travel ban?
According to the NYC mayor’s office, vehicles exempt from this ban include:
- Government and emergency response vehicles
- Public transit, including MTA buses and Access-A-Ride
- Vehicles delivering food, fuel and medical supplies
- Utility vehicles performing emergency repairs
- Transportation for essential workers
- Transportation to hospitals and court facilities
- Nonprofit and private organizations providing emergency relief
Speaking on Sunday, Mamdahni also confirmed that all public schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23, while city offices will be shut for in-person services. “Essential employees must report to work; nonessential employees may telework,” the mayor’s office said.
Bus, subway:
The New York City government says most subway lines “will still operate local service”. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has published this page providing the latest subway service updates. You’ll also find updates on the MTA app.
The MTA says bus travellers should “expect longer waits for local buses”, explaining that articulated buses have been removed from operation during the storm.
We're closely monitoring the ongoing winter storm. Avoid unnecessary travel if possible. If you must travel, use extra caution.
— MTA (@MTA) February 22, 2026
There will be service changes due to the storm. Stay up to date by checking the MTA or TrainTime app, or by visiting https://t.co/8rwbuwle0p. pic.twitter.com/6oZrLOiV9h
LIRR, Metro-North:
The Long Island Rail Road is “fully suspended until further notice”, the MTA says.
LIRR service is suspended until weather conditions allow us to safely resume service.
— LIRR (@LIRR) February 23, 2026
Please stay safe and warm. Check the TrainTime app or https://t.co/LYwhwafjfY for updates. pic.twitter.com/uv1WELUDSR
On Monday, the Metro-North Railroad is operating an hourly schedule on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines, and a weekend schedule on the Wassaic, New Canaan, Danbury, and Waterbury lines.
The Hudson Rail Link bus has been suspended, as has the substitute bus for the Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry.
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