Metro-North Adds Trains As Hudson Valley Reopens

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Metro-North added 18 trains to the schedule Wednesday in anticipation of increased demand as the new coronavirus outbreak subsides and the Hudson Valley reopens. MTA officials are also reminding everyone they must wear a mask to ride a train.

In an email sent out Thursday, officials at the commuter railroad said:

On all Metro-North property and until further notice, all customers are required to wear a mask or face covering and to maintain social distance, particularly while in Metro-North stations, on our platforms, and in Grand Central Terminal; to board trains at all available doors and to take seats that maximize social distancing. We also recommend that customers consider riding our trains at non-peak hours, such as before 7 AM and after 6 PM, where possible.

Commuting is expected to pick up even more when New York City begins reopening in early June. The city is on track to meet all the benchmarks, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at his briefing Thursday.

“We are in regular communication with City Hall and will announce more on phased restorations of service in the coming days," said Abby Collins of the MTA. "We have seen a small uptick in riders thus far and anticipate further increases as we enter Phase 1."

As of May 27, 211 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed across the Hudson Valley:

• Dutchess: 20
• Orange: 33
• Putnam: 9
• Rockland: 29
• Ulster: 13
• Westchester: 107

For now, on the Harlem Line, Metro-North added a train from Southeast to Grand Central in the morning rush, two trains from North White Plains to Grand Central and one reverse-peak train from Grand Central to North White Plains. In the PM rush, Metro-North added a train from Grand Central to Southeast, two trains from Grand Central to North White Plains and a reverse peak train from North White Plains to Grand Central.

On the Hudson Line, Metro-North added a train from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central during the morning rush and one from Croton-Harmon to Grand Central. In the PM rush, Metro-North added a train to Poughkeepsie and one to Croton-Harmon.

On the New Haven Line, Metro-North added a train from New Haven to Grand Central during the morning rush, and two from Stamford to Grand Central. In the PM rush, Metro-North added a train from Grand Central to New Haven and two from Grand Central to Stamford.

The expanded service represents an overall increase of 26 percent in peak train availability since Metro-North’s Essential Service Plan went into effect as the pandemic worsened in March.

Metro-North will also have 14 train sets strategically positioned at major facilities to operate additional service as necessary.

"As the Hudson Valley reopens, Metro-North will continue to monitor conditions and adapt to best serve our essential customers," said Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. "Metro-North is undertaking the most aggressive disinfecting and cleaning program in MTA history and I want to remind customers face coverings are mandatory for all those traveling with us. I thank our heroic workforce for their unparalleled dedication and contributions throughout the pandemic."

Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, like New York City Transit, have undertaken a rigorous cleaning program, with crews working in train yards 24 hours a day to ensure that every one of 1,400 cars in service is disinfected at least once a day. Special care is being paid to poles, seating, floor, ceiling, doors and walls. Similarly, stations are being disinfected at least twice daily, with a concentration on touch points.

The MTA is also evaluating innovative methods to fight the new coronavirus, including the application of three antimicrobial products and bathing subway car and bus interiors in ultraviolet (UV) light. If successful, the ultraviolet light pilot will expand to the two commuter railroads.