As a storm was expected to hit the Philadelphia region on Sunday afternoon, SEPTA advised customers to “plan for significant service disruptions as blizzard-like conditions are expected throughout the region late Sunday and Monday.” To manage this weather, SEPTA officials said they were activ ating SEPTA’s Winter Storm Plan, which, they said in a statement on Sunday, brings all of SEPTA’s storm-fighting resources to bear. This plan includes activating the SEPTA’s Command Center, which, officials said, “puts all of SEPTA’s key decision-makers in the same room to closely track storm conditions and determine when service adjustments need to be made.” Also, SEPTA officials said crews will pre-treat station surfaces and parking lots on Sunday. SEPTA has 4,000 tons of rock salt available to cover both pre- and post-storm treatments, according to officials. During the storm, SEPTA said, transportation managers will be deployed throughout the bus network to assess road conditions, and track inspectors will do the same on SEPTA’s rail system across the five-county service area. SEPTA officials said the mass transit provider will also deploy dozens of large blowers, snow throwers, augers and other pieces of heavy equipment to clear tracks and other critical areas throughout the system. “While these efforts will put SEPTA in the best possible position to handle this storm, we want to be clear with our customers – there are going to be significant service disruptions,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer in a statement. “This is going to include delays, trip cancellations, and likely shutdowns of routes and entire modes of travel.” SEPTA officials said the mass transit provide will closely track forecasts and conditions in order to adjust services before problems arise. “Through the close monitoring of the storm by our personnel in the Command Center and in the field, we will be able to take a proactive approach and suspend services before conditions become unsafe for our riders and employees,” Sauer said. “This also greatly reduces the chances that our buses, trolleys or trains get stranded or damaged. And with vehicles back at shops and yards, and out of harm’s way, maintenance crews are well-positioned to get them ready for the return to service after the storm.” SEPTA officials also said that SEPTA “will restore suspended services post-storm as soon as it is safe to do so.” In a statement, SEPTA said it may take time for snow to be cleared following the storm, as are nearly 300 Metro and Regional Rail stations throughout the five-county region — many with multiple platforms and parking lots, along with stairs, walkways and other customer areas. SEPTA’s in-house forces and third-party contractors will work around the clock to clear all of those areas, however, with the expected magnitude of the storm, these efforts will likely continue through mid-week, officials said. Along with taking these steps, SEPTA urged anyone who does not have to travel to stay home during the storm. For essential works and others who have to go out, SEPTA officials strongly recommended using the B (Broad Street Line) and the L (Market-Frankford Line). With the storm, officials said, delays should be expected. Officials said service updates will be posted in real-time at https://www.septa.org/alerts and on X @SEPTA. Customer service representatives are also available by phone at (215) 580-7800. Whenever possible, SEPTA officials said, they will provide customers with at least two-hours notice before service suspensions. ...read more read less