Hurricane Irene could shut down MTA

Hurricane Irene could shut down the region's public transportation system, including Long Island Rail Road and Long Island Bus, because of fallen trees, flooded roads and rail yards and subway tunnels, officials said yesterday.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said there may be "partial or full shutdown" of all services to ensure customers' and employees' safety.

LIRR president Helena Williams said the agency wants "customers to really take a look at their travel plans and make sure that they are looking at where they're going to, when they're going, and how they're going back."

The LIRR canceled some Friday Hamptons service. Buses will replace two eastbound trains between Great Neck and Port Washington early on Saturday for track work, as well as westbound trains between Port Washington and Great Neck.

Friday morning the LIRR said specifically:
-the 1:49 p.m. train from Hunterspoint, due in Montauk at 4:45 p.m. is canceled;
-the 3:58 p.m. train from Penn Station to Montauk will operate on its Thursday schedule and arrive in Montauk at 6:45 p.m., without the Hampton Reserve cars;
-the 4:30 p.m. train from Hunterspoint, due in Montauk at 7:35 p.m. is canceled;
-the 5:09 p.m. train from Penn Station, due in Montauk at 8:29 p.m., will instead terminate in Speonk at 7:13 p.m.;
-the 7:38 p.m. train from Jamaica, due in Montauk at 10:10 p.m., is canceled.

Williams said Irene poses several threats to the LIRR, including to crossing gates that could be snapped, and to electrical lines that power the signal systems and the third rail.

The LIRR expects to have to secure gates in the raised position -- meaning no trains could pass. That could mean suspensions, Williams said.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said "there will not be mass transit" beginning "some point late in the afternoon or earlier" Saturday. He said mass transit could be down into Monday.