ALLENTOWN, Pa. — After last year's paltry snow season, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) is prepping for whatever comes next in a winter that already has seen some flurries.
With an upcoming snow season that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Operational Branch Chief said could offer "some hope for snow lovers," LANTA officials detailed the extensive planning and coordination that goes into its public transit service throughout the Lehigh Valley during challenging winter conditions.
The organization's leadership wants to remind those in the Lehigh Valley that, as with any vehicle, travel time slows down during winter weather, and caution is needed by riders, drivers and car owners.
"We've had some really horrible winters [and] we had some like last winter, which went very smooth and very easy from a from a service standpoint."LANTA Executive Director Owen O'Neil
"We never really know what to expect for the winter," LANTA Executive Director Owen O'Neil said.
"We've had some really horrible winters [and] we had some like last winter, which went very smooth and very easy from a from a service standpoint."
O'Neill and his colleagues said that once reports come in from meteorologists or on-the-scene operations supervisors that there will be a notable amount of snow, freezing rain or possibility of ice, things kick into motion.
The agency works to communicate service changes and manage routes, often making decisions by 4 a.m. in the case of an overnight storm.
LANTA officials noted the complexity of monitoring the many routes covered by its service, while also coordinating services in Carbon County, given the amount of variation that can occur over the region.
That comes on the heels of LANTA's annual preparatory meetings for the winter, at which a large group of directors and staff from all operations and communications departments review and improve winter procedures.
At its daily peak, O'Neil said, 71 buses and 60 paratransit vans are out on the road, resulting in a lot of action when services start to be disrupted with suspensions, delays or, in severe cases, cancellations.
Staying safe around buses and bus stops
LANTA Safety, Security and Training Manager Stacy Kenney said winter is a time for all motorists — including LANTA drivers and passengers — to exercise increased caution on the roads and when boarding.
Kenney especially urged drivers to allow more space around buses than they usually would, because buses have to break earlier to stop and prevent skids.
"The other motorists need to give our buses more space and time. Nobody wants to get stuck behind a bus, we all get that. But when they try to come around the bus, you'll find people that will come on the right side of the bus and you've got passengers coming off the bus, and all of that is such a risk and such a danger.LANTA Safety, Security and Training Manager Stacy Kenney
"The other motorists need to give our buses more space and time," Kenney said.
"Nobody wants to get stuck behind a bus, we all get that. But when they try to come around the bus, you'll find people that will come on the right side of the bus and you've got passengers coming off the bus, and all of that is such a risk and such a danger.
"You've got passengers that they don't want to be in the snow any more than anybody else, so they'll come out of the bus and run across the street, right into an oncoming car.
"So it's just exercising common sense and giving that extra bit of time."
Kenney also urged passengers to be at bus stops on time to reduce the risk of rushing and potentially slipping in icy weather. He also spoke to having bus drivers warn of slippery conditions at the bus entrance to cut down on slips and falls.
Snowbanks along the side of the road and early sunset don't just create challenges for bus drivers and the maintenance workers responding to a greater amount of dirt and damage on the vehicles.
It also creates challenges for riders trying to be seen and keep safe.
Kelly urged riders to take steps to increase their visibility, such as wearing reflective jackets or holding flashlights when visibility is impaired.
She also noted the importance of keeping stop corners clear for safety and the needs of some riders, such as those in wheelchairs.
Getting word out when things change
"If you can see that [snow is] starting to stick, that it might be a problem, you have to take into consideration that we can't just make a decision at a moment's go once buses are already on the road," said Darryl Lightner, manager of communication and strategic initiatives at LANTA.
"If the buses are already on the road and you want to decrease service, you have to take you have to think about the communication aspect to people who actually rely on the buses."
"The more people know about these tools out there, the better it is for them, and the less aggravation it is for everybody involved."LANTA Communications Manager Chuck Genna
Lightner said those at LANTA have to use all of their communication channels to get the word out during changes made as a result of difficult winter weather.
That includes news outlets, social media, displays at transit centers, smartphone applications and phone communications.
Despite the complexity of the operation, LANTA Communications Manager Chuck Genna said it's much easier than in past years to get that information, thanks to the software used.
"The more people know about these tools out there, the better it is for them, and the less aggravation it is for everybody involved," Genna said.
It also includes communicating with all of their own staff and municipal and road-clearing officials about the safety of major roads and transit centers.
Lightner said that while it does not happen often, if a service or any line is cancelled, there is a two-hour notice.
At times of severe sudden weather changes, service has had to be suspended — meaning buses have to pull over to wait for that to pass before resuming.
Essential services get urgent spotlight
LANTA officials said the new Enhanced Bus Service lines, which offer a more rapid transit across major corridors in the region, should not offer any additional challenges compared with prior years or other lines.
For riders, Lightner said that on the morning of a severe storm, check LANTA's social media and website for updates about their routes, or call the organization.
Besides the buses, LANTA's other essential services get an urgent spotlight when weather gets challenging.
"That's the biggest thing, ensuring that the service is reliable so if something were to happen, we can get everybody home."Darryl Lightner, manager of communication and strategic initiatives at LANTA.
"Once a decision is made, it's more just getting the word out to personnel, internal staff, making sure LANTA Van, our paratransit division, ensuring that they know as far as dialysis trips or life sustaining services and making sure that nobody's getting left," Lightner said.
"That's the biggest thing, ensuring that the service is reliable so if something were to happen, we can get everybody home."
LANTA's paratransit services operate door-to-door, and LANTA officials ask drivers to make an effort to clear snow and ice debris before pickup so drivers can safely provide assistance.
Because some agencies serviced could be closed on days of severe weather, Paratransit Services Director Jalina Ozoa said those unsure can just call into customer service for the latest updates on their planned trip.
Despite the complexity involved, Genna said, the technology has made the process simpler for people seeking information.
