Bloomberg Talks MTA CEO Janno Lieber Talks NYC Blizzard
Feb 23, 2026
Janno Lieber, CEO of the MTA who leads NYC transit and storm response, gives a front-line look at keeping subways, buses, and commuter rails running during a major blizzard. He covers service suspensions and safe resumption plans. He explains staffing mobilization, how buses and yards are prepared, and challenges like wind-driven drifting and clearing bus stops.
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Prioritize Snow Clearing To Keep Trains Running
- Run core services even during storms by prioritizing snow-clearing equipment and staff deployment.
- Janno Lieber says the MTA kept full subway service with reduced frequencies and jet-engine snowblowers clearing outdoor tracks.
Wind Driven Drifting Determines Service Resumption
- Wind-driven drifting is often the decisive factor that halts service, not just snowfall totals.
- Lieber notes open-cut subway sections and exposed commuter-rail third rails get buried, blocking power and visibility.
Use Orderly Shutdowns And Yard Clearance Before Resuming
- Stop service orderly and resume only after yards and third rails are cleared to ensure safety and ability to deploy cars.
- Lieber describes an orderly shutdown at 1 a.m. and digging out train yards before restarting Long Island Railroad.