NYC's subway back on track for commute after Irene

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City subways resumed service Monday after Tropical Storm Irene forced an unprecedented closure of the nation's largest mass transit system. Trains and buses in and around the metropolitan area faced their first major test as millions of commuters ventured to work for the first time since the storm hit.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that limited service had resumed at 5:40 a.m. across the area. Metro-North Railroad, which serves the city's northern suburbs, remained closed because of flooding and other storm-related damage. New Jersey Transit trains were also suspended.

MTA spokesman Charles Seaton said subways were running smoothly, if a little more slowly than usual at first. He said commuters should expect a bit more crowding but otherwise service was normal.