How you can and can’t get around this weekend in Philly region

 (NewsWorks file photo)

(NewsWorks file photo)

As our region is preparing for 12 to 24 inches of snow and blizzard conditions this weeked, here’s what you need to know:

SEPTA will suspend almost all operations starting at 4 a.m. Saturday. The Broad Street and Market Street subway lines will continue to run on a weekend schedule. That means buses, trolleys, Regional Rail and the Norristown High Speed Line all shut down early Saturday morning. Customized Community Transit or CCT services will run through the weekend only for patients receiving dialysis. SEPTA hopes to start restoring service early Sunday morning. Whether the Monday commute will be normal depends on how much damage the wind does and how quickly the agency can clean up and make repairs. “The wild card is definitely the wind and the conditions that it will create, causing potentially problems with overhead wires,” said General Manager Jeff Kneuppel. Be sure to check SEPTA’s Twitter feed @SEPTA or SEPTA.org for updates.

PATCO will run on a modified schedule. Trains will still run every 25 minutes as they normally do on weekends, but departure times have shifted. PATCO has posted special snow schedules for Saturday and Sunday. As of now, the plan is to run a “snow schedule” on Monday morning. Check RidePATCO.org for updates.

NJ Transit will run on a regular weekend schedule systemwide and will cross-honor train tickets and bus passes starting at midnight Friday through Sunday. For example, if you normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold, you can take the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge. But if you use your tickets or passes to travel to a destination other than the one printed on your original ticket, you may be asked to pay additional fare. For updates, check NJTransit.com.
Amtrak plans to continue running Acela Express, Northeast Regional and Keystone Service during the storm on modified schedules. Be sure to check Amtrak.com for updates. 
Airlines have canceled all flights coming into and out of Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday. If you’re traveling Friday or Sunday, check with your carrier for more information. Some airlines are offering passengers with reservations this weekend the opportunity to change their flights without extra fees. Airport officials are monitoring the storm and will provide updates to flight status at PHL.org.
The Delaware River Port Authority says it’s deploying extra crews to keep the Ben Franklin, Walt Witman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges passable through the weekend. For updates, visit DRPA.org
The Delaware River and Bay Authority has canceled service on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry on Saturday. The ferry will resume servce on Sunday morning on a modified schedule. Visit DRBA.net for updates.
PennDOT has been treating roads and higways since Thursday hoping to prevent ice from forming.  Between PennDOT trucks and plows as well as private contractors, spokesman Gene Blaum says 450 trucks will be criss-crossing the region working to keep roads open.

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RideIndigo, Philadelphia’s bikeshare program, will not be riding out the storm. The service will stop at 6 p.m. Friday. Follow @RideIndego on Twitter for updates. 

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