Pandemic: MTA Could End Train Service West Of The Hudson

A grim plan under consideration by MTA board members considers cutting services drastically and hiking fares to fill a huge hole in the budget for 2021.

Without $12 billion in federal aid, MTA would be forced to make "draconian" cuts of up to 40 percent on subways and buses and 50 percent on commuter rail roads, as well as 9,400 layoffs, MTA Chairman Patrick Foye said.

The Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road commuter trains would see 50 percent service cuts — which would result in peak train frequencies of every 20 to 30 minutes on busy lines, or hourly on those that are less busy, officials said.

That 50 percent Metro-North cut includes eliminating West of Hudson rail service all together. In addition, the ferry service across the river between Haverstraw and the Ossining train station would not resume.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said the MTA has made it clear they have zero regard for Rockland County's status as the most underserved member of the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District.

"The MTA’s decision to not mention the proposed elimination of service in either their presentation to the Board or their press release is yet another example of how little they care for West of Hudson commuters," he said in a statement.

County officials have complained for years that their mandated contribution to the MTA has never been matched with decent service for residents.

"Every value gap analysis performed over the past 30 years - even MTA's own analyses - has shown that Rockland County is consistently shortchanged," Day said. "MTA already owes us $40 million per year and has for decades."

If the board eliminates the only rail service available, there would be no reason for Rockland County to continue paying into the system, he said.

"We are already working with our State elected officials on legislation to leave the MTA and no longer subsidize services we do not receive," Day said, pointing out that this is not the first time the MTA has cut back services to the county. Metro-North allowed NJ Transit to temporarily eliminate two of four express trains on the Pascack Valley line in 2018, and they have still not restored.

MTA officials said the proposed changes can be averted if Congress approves $12 billion in federal aid.

"Stimulus funding from the Federal government is vital - but even with potential funding on its way, we realize that MTA service cuts may still be necessary," Day said. "Let me make it abundantly clear that cutting any service from Rockland County would be devastating and simply be unacceptable."

Andrei Berman from the MTA press office offered a response.

"The MTA is facing the worst financial crisis in its history and the best way to avoid these draconian actions is for Congress to deliver the $12 billion in aid we have been desperately seeking," he said. "When we have additional details on service changes – which again Washington can help stave off – we will bring them directly to our customers for a thorough public vetting."