NYC Transit System Is Running, Despite 15 Inches of Snow

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  February 23, 2026 at 14:30  |  7:49  |  Bloomberg Markets
Speakers

Summary

  • The NYC transit system remained largely operational during a major winter storm dropping 15 inches of snow, with subways and buses running on reduced schedules.
  • The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) was the only major suspension due to severe drifting and visibility issues on the east end of the system.
  • MTA Chair Janno Lieber highlighted the shift in operational focus toward climate change adaptation, noting that the system must now contend with "torrential rainfall and rising sea levels" in addition to traditional snow events.
  • Operational resilience relies heavily on specialized "snow fighting equipment" (jet engines, snow blowers) and coordination with the Department of Sanitation for street clearing.
Trade Ideas
Janno Lieber Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
"We got to keep our snow fighting equipment. We got jet engines, snow blowers operating on the subways... The Department of Sanitation are clearing not just the streets, but the bus stops." The continued functionality of a major metropolis during extreme weather relies entirely on specialized heavy machinery and snow removal equipment. While this specific storm is a singular event, the reliance on this equipment for economic continuity highlights the steady demand for municipal maintenance hardware. WATCH. Douglas Dynamics (PLOW) is the direct play on snow removal attachments, while the broader Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) covers the heavy machinery aspect. Snowfall is seasonal and highly variable; a mild winter in subsequent years can crush demand for replacement parts and new equipment.
PLOW XLI
Janno Lieber Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
"In the area of climate change. We're dealing with all kinds of extreme weather events. You know, right now we're forgetting about torrential rainfall and rising sea levels. But those are issues for the MTA as well." The MTA Chair explicitly links current operations to a broader need for infrastructure hardening against climate change. This implies sustained, long-term government Capital Expenditure (CapEx) on engineering, drainage, and retrofitting projects to protect transit assets from flooding and rising sea levels. LONG. Engineering and construction firms like Fluor (FLR) and Jacobs (J) are the primary beneficiaries of government contracts for infrastructure resilience and climate adaptation projects. Government budget constraints or delays in funding allocation can stall large-scale infrastructure projects.
FLR J XLI
Up Next
7:13
Dr. Scott Gottlieb: Tariffs are a very inefficient tool to reshore drug manufacturing
CNBC · Feb 23
4:10
Fed Gov. Waller: Supreme Court ruling on tariffs may have positive impact on spending, investment
CNBC · Feb 23
5:36
Today's panel weighs in on retail trading activity, tariffs, and what seems like a rangebound market
CNBC · Feb 23
13:06
India a Winner on SCOTUS Trump Tariff Ruling, But For How Long?
Bloomberg Markets · Feb 23
14:04
The tariff toll: How tariff uncertainty could impact businesses
CNBC · Feb 23

This Bloomberg Markets video, published February 23, 2026, features Janno Lieber discussing PLOW, XLI, FLR, J. 2 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Janno Lieber  · Tickers: PLOW, XLI, FLR, J