Thousands of commuters left stranded as US city suspends major transit service with rivers frozen ahead of bomb cyclone

THOUSANDS of commuters have been left high and dry with ferry service suspended between a deadly winter storm and a possible bomb cyclone.

America’s largest city has called off service for its ferry system after Winter Storm Fern, which has killed over 60 people, left two rivers almost completely frozen over. 

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People take the Staten Island Ferry as ice floats on the Hudson RiverCredit: AP

An aerial view of the Hudson River as a water taxi makes it way through the icy river during freezing temperatures, seen from the Edge observation deck in New York CityCredit: AFP

Massive ice blocks in New York City’s East River and Hudson River forced NYC Ferry – and its bar service – to shut down service Tuesday, and freezing temperatures dipping into the single digits Fahrenheit have kept operations crippled. 

“NYC Ferry service remains suspended across all routes due to continued ice in the East and Hudson Rivers and across New York Harbor,” a spokesperson for NYC Ferry said in a statement to The U.S. Sun.

“The safety of all crew, passengers, and vessels is of the utmost importance, and NYC Ferry crew continues to monitor evolving waterway conditions and prepare the fleet to ensure service can resume once conditions improve.”

Images showed ice floes, or large detached chunks of floating sea ice, in partially frozen parts of the East River and Hudson River surrounding Manhattan.

“It’s kind of ridiculous that you don’t notice this in the app when somebody clicks on schedules,” one ferry rider complained on Wednesday to NYC Ferry on X. 

“Thanks for making me walk in the wrong direction for nine minutes in the freezing cold.”

NYC Ferry on Tuesday afternoon, hours before halting service, had posted that there was “significant, continuing ice build-up” and that heavy ice creates unpredictable landing conditions. 

Ferry riders have been forced to instead take subways, buses, or drive to their destinations. 

However, some New Yorkers apparently managed to get on a boat.

On Thursday, an X user commented on NYC Ferry’s service suspension announcement, saying, “Are you sure? Cause im literally on the ferry going to (Governors) island as we speak… Thats crazy. How did i get to governors island then?”

NYC Ferry replied that Governors Island operates its own ferry, which is running.

The NYC Ferry shutdown came two days after Winter Storm Fern pummeled the city with 11 to 14 inches of snow and caused thousands of flights in the area to be canceled or delayed. 

WINTER WEATHER CONTINUES

The decision also comes ahead of another winter weather system that could strengthen into a bomb cyclone this weekend and send temperatures plunging even more.

The system’s intensity and track are still uncertain, but it could become a bomb cyclone if atmospheric pressure dips rapidly. 

Bomb cyclones bring heavy precipitation, including snow and gusty winds.

Weather forecasters have said the cold front could linger into the beginning of February, giving ice in the waterways no chance to melt anytime soon.

NYC Ferry will provide updates to riders through its website and app.

New York Waterway ferries move as ice floats on the Hudson RiverCredit: AP

A ferry maneuvers through ice floats covering part of the Hudson River along the Manhattan shorelineCredit: Getty