ALBANY, New York — Commuter transit systems in New York, New Jersey and outside Philadelphia will shut down services because of Hurricane Irene. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says public transportation in New York City will shut down at about noon on Saturday. According to the governor's office, the Metropolitan Transit Authority will institute a system-wide shutdown when subways and buses begin their final runs starting at approximately noon. The shutdown will include the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and Access-A-Ride. The last complete shutdown of the system was for a 2005 strike. New Jersey Transit trains also will stop running at noon Saturday. Gov. Chris Christie made the announcement during a briefing on the storm Friday. In Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter says mass transit in suburban Philadelphia will halt at 12:30 a.m. Sunday.
