Silly question, but how reliable is public transportation during winter?

Dionna Doyel: Two inches of snow would cripple Dallas, LA, even DC has problems. Here,two inches of snow is a "flurry". Big storms will disrupt highway traffic the most. Even in weather that closes Logan Airport, the "T"'s rail services and Amtrak soldier on albeit with some delays on surface routes.Buses do encounter delays, and some hilly routes become a problem during the storm, but that is usually short lived. I think the one time the "T" shut down due to weather was during the blizzard of '78 and I'm not sure it fully shut down even then. Route 128 (major "beltway") was shutdown for almost a week until all the abandoned cars were removed....Show more

Giovanna Cramblit: I live in Boston and rely entirely on public transportation ( or my feet ) to get around. The only weather-related problems I have had are walking to a stop or station when it is nasty out. We complain about the T here all the time, it is a time-honored tradition. But really I don't recall! a single weather-related shut-down and very few delays. If you want to move to Boston and remain car-free there shouldn't be any difficulty if you live near a train or bus route. You can ride your bike April-November though a few brave souls ride year-round. For trips outside the city rent a car. I know several people who belong to ZipCar. If you live near one of their lots it's perfect and saves vast amounts of money over owning. Also, no hassle with digging your car out of snow drifts left by plows, chipping tires out of solid ice and other winter miseries. You'll be fine with no car....Show more

Particia Thorton: Rail-based transit systems generally do much better than cars in snowstorms. Here in Boston, the T is usually up and running long before the roads are clear. Buses, not so well as subways, but they are heavier than cars and often have T vehicles plowing in front of them. When storms are expected the TV and radio remind people to leave their ca! rs home and take the T. I've seen storms where cars are stuck ! for hours trying to go a couple of blocks while the T just wooshes by. Transit is also much better because you don't have to worry about parking. Spaces disappear, lots often take days to plow out. If cars are parked along the sides of streets, plows can't clear much room and everything just gets worse. Cars get crunched by plows. One exception is trolleys or electric trains with overhead wires. The MetroNorth from CT to NYC sometimes has the wires pulled down in heavy weather, ties up things for hours. Bikes, though -- not in winter....Show more

Shan Lanen: yes, you can get around just fine... places like that are up to speed with keeping the roads clear of snow, etc... Also lots of those places have underground transportation... like in New York, the public transportation is the same during every season..

Ira Porietis: It's very reliable in all 4 seasons. When it snows, they send plow trains out to clear the tracks before the trains start up at about 5am and t! hen the tracks are in continuous use all day long so they don't get too bad.

Lahoma Beadell: Four seasons is nice if you don't have a big commute but in the winter if it's really bad- nothing goes anywhere. Pittsburgh Pa for 15 years. Not liking it