Finally – Metro-North May be Listening

Hartford, CT – State Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) ranking member of the Transportation Committee released the following statement today re: New MTA Metro-North Railroad timetables for the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines effective Sunday, May 11, 2014.

“Much welcomed relief may be coming soon for troubled metro north commuters. Some of the most important considerations in determining where to locate are distance to one’s job and getting to one’s job safely and predictably.

“After massive failures and overwhelming complaints from the commuters on the metro north line – the most heavily ridden rail line in the country – new leadership seems to have gotten the message. These new schedule changes are finally responding to what the commuters need and have been asking for – for some time. But will travel times be improved, will bottlenecks be eliminated, will safety be a priority? We will not know the answers to these important questions until the new schedule goes into effect.

“As I have stated in the past safety should always come first and on time performance will always be paramount. I will continue to work with the co-chairs and ranking members of the Transportation Committee and with the leaders of Metro North, the state Department of Transportation and commuter advocates to fix the monumental problems commuters have been facing. I am hopeful commuters will soon feel safer about riding this rail way and will once again feel confident in the service they pay for. Metro North must prove that it can maintain this line proving once again that it can be the economic asset it should be.”

The new schedule according to Metro North includes the following highlights:

• For the first time in four years all four tracks in the eight-mile section between Bridgeport and Southport will be in service.
• The Connecticut Department of Transportation contractors have replaced the overhead catenary wires that power the trains and rebuilt four bridges that carry the tracks over local roads.
• An additional AM peak express train from New Haven will be added. It will now depart New Haven at 6:02 a.m., stop at Stamford at 7:00 a.m., and be extended to Grand Central Terminal, arriving at 7:50 a.m.
• In response to customer requests, the timetable also restores the first early morning through train that originates in Danbury. The 5:28 a.m. train once again will be a one-seat ride to Grand Central. (customers will not have to change trains in South Norwalk)
• In the afternoon a 4:29 p.m. departure from Grand Central to Danbury will be a through train with a 5:18 p.m. stop at Stamford but no transfer required.
• Work on the new signal system and grade crossing protection continues on the Danbury Branch and should be complete later this summer. When completed, midday and weekend busing will end.
• To improve mechanical reliability of the Waterbury Branch service, the maintenance and operations base for branch service is being moved from New Haven to Stamford, where Danbury locomotives already are serviced.
• As a result, the connection between one mid-day Waterbury shuttle and the main line train will be moved from Bridgeport to Stamford, and a new express train from Grand Central to Stamford will operate to provide a convenient connection from New York.

To view the new schedule please visit –http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/planning/schedules/schedules.htm

Again this new schedule for the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines goes into effect Sunday, May 11, 2014.

“I understand commuters have faced a lot of frustration. If in fact this schedule is implemented properly and goals are achieved, this will prove holding those in charge accountable can work to bring about positive change,” added Sen. Boucher.