You know December is just around the corner when stories like this start coming out.

As the region prepares for winter while continuing to recover from Sandy, another storm is predicted to hit the area late Monday evening into Tuesday, providing rain and snow and ensuring messy commutes.

NJ Transit will cross-honor tickets all day on Tuesday, "enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode-rail, bus or light rail," according to a press release. "For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station. Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge."

The transportation utility advises customers that some trains remain on modified schedules because of Hurricane Sandy and are advised to check njtransit.com before traveling.

In addition, the release noted NJ Transit is prepared to handle the impending winter weather event:

• Snow plows and salt spreaders are ready for service and snow-removal contracts are in place with outside vendors.
  
  
• NJ Transit is well-stocked with 16,000 bags of snow-melting supplies, and hundreds of shovels and snow blowers.
  
  
• NJ Transit has performed maintenance and testing on its two rail-mounted jet snow blowers in the event they are needed to help clear train tracks of snow and ice, particularly in rail yards.
  
  
• More than 750 rail switches were inspected prior to Hurricane Sandy. Inspections are continuing along rail lines where rail service has been recently restored.
  
  
• Onboard heating systems, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components have been inspected on NJ Transit railcars and locomotives.
  
  
• Bus maintenance personnel have inspected and performed necessary maintenance on a fleet of nearly 2,200 buses - from the heating and airbrake systems, to the engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers and doors.