On Monday, January 26, 2026, the biggest storm recorded in New York hit, leaving it to be a cold ice land. Due to all the snow, many weren’t able to go to work, as many cars were buried in the ice and snow. Lots of people faced injuries when trying to leave. Lots of bus stops had big piles of snow, leading to many having a harder time commuting as some MTA workers drove past the stop, not wanting to struggle to get out of the snow again. As many didn’t have the option to work online, they had to go to work struggling with the snow.
Guidance counselor Ms. Indira said, “Climbing over snow piles was not only dangerous for me but also a big concern with elderly people with mobility challenges who depend on either accessory rides.” Lots of other people also feel the same way.
For example, many found it difficult to walk around due to the snow piles and how many dog owners didn’t pick up the dog poop after going on a walk, leading to it being hard to walk around without seeing dog poop everywhere while trying to not step on it. As many elders tried to go on with their lives, they found waiting for the bus stop was a hassle due to the buses skipping stops and how big many snow piles are.
Others differed from these opinions, like Earth Science teacher Ms. Rabi, who said, “I feel like it was a really tough job, and overall, I think the city did a pretty good job.” She said how even though she wasn’t able to bike to school because of the snow, it wasn’t much of a hassle to her regular life, as she was able to just use transit to school and be on time. Feeling as though they did the best they could with what they had, as it would still be cold, saying everyone should have done their part in the shoveling, as it shouldn’t just be on the MTA to shovel for us.
People feel differently about the snowstorm because of their expectations and experiences. Some believe the MTA could manage service disruptions better, pointing to delays and communication issues. Others argue that running such a large transit system during extreme weather is incredibly difficult and that the MTA does the best they can to keep people safe. The disagreement reflects the problem between public expectations and the challenges of operating in severe conditions.
