Relief Sighted For Evening Commute?

Is there relief in sight for the evening commute in the NYC metro area? Well, that depends on where you are going. If you're riding NJ Transit this afternoon, they say that things should be back to normal for the evening rush.

The MTA, which includes subways and buses, isn't in as good shape. There's significant problems with canceled and delayed service for numerous subway lines. And if you're lucky to read the MTA homepage, you'll see lots of flashing logos warning of problems on Metro North, LIRR, and buses.

Gov. Spitzer wants to know why the rains caused such major problems. The short answer - too much rain in too short a time for the existing pumps and infrastructure to compensate. The long answer - begin with the short answer and note that funding to improve or add pumping capacity are simply not priorities. They aren't sexy and compete with high profile and necessary improvements to the system like the East Side Access, 2d Avenue Line, the 7 line expansion and work in Lower Manhattan (South Ferry and Fulton St.). Yet, they're crucial to keeping the system operating during inclement weather.

Then, there's this:

Elliot G. Sander, the chief executive of the M.T.A., who joined Mr. Spitzer at a news conference in Midtown, said, “I would like thank New Yorkers for their continued resilience and patience on a day like today.”
Mr. Sander continued:

The timing and intensity of the storm took us by surprise, because it was not predicted by the National Weather Service. The storm then hit right around high tide, putting further pressure on our infrastructure. Finally, the intensity of the storm brought torrential rainfall, as the governor was saying, in a short period of time, overwhelming both our pumps and the sewer system that is needed to accept the pump water. As a result we had water conditions throughout our system.

I find that fascinating. With all their employees, don't they have someone who watches the Weather Channel or has direct access to radar systems? I regularly check weather reports at the NWS and can watch the Doppler radar loops and can see how the weather will affect my commute home. They would have seen the system developing and grow more severe and prepare for the worst. Instead, the MTA did its worst. Again.

However, there's little to be done when you have trees toppling over onto the tracks causing significant damage. I wont fault the MTA for the downed trees, but when you claim the storm takes you by surprise, you lose my respect when you should have known better. Summer storms happen every year. We get downpours every year. Yet, the system is incapable of dealing with them. Yet, no one holds the MTA accountable.

UPDATE:
It was indeed a tornado that hit Bay Ridge this morning with winds of up to 135 mph that battered houses, apartments, and trees.

Mass transit was still recovering:

Although service was restored on most subway lines by this evening — including the Nos. 4, 5 and 6 lines, and the Nos. 1, 2, and 3 lines — the V and W lines remained suspended. Shuttle buses are being run in some areas of Queens.

Service on the Metro North railroad lines was mostly restored by the afternoon, and officials with both New Jersey Transit and Long Island Rail Road said they expected service to be nearly back to normal.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York o said this was the third time in seven months that a sudden downpour had brought the transit system to its knees. Mr. Spitzer ordered the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to conduct a review of how the transit system failed and urged New Yorkers to remain patient.

UPDATE:
The National Weather Service confirms that it was an EF2 tornado that ripped through Bay Ridge. The winds are estimated at 111-135 mph.