(Credit: Metro-North)
The Metro-North commuter railroad says the winter weather has forced it to implement service cuts for the next month. In a letter posted on the corporate website, the railroad says starting Monday, and running through March fourth, weekday rush hour service will be reduced by ten per cent on the New Haven line.
The company says each day there are about 150 cars out of service on the New Haven line, with crews working around the clock to return the damaged equipment to service. Motors, brakes, and doors are have been affected by the heavy snow the state has seen since late December, and crews have had to spend time clearing snow from the tops of the cars, from around the switches and from the rail yards, while each storm sends more damaged cars to the shop.
The New Haven line apologizes in the letter, saying — quote — the service we have been providing has been far less than what you have come to expect from us and we strive to provide you.
In addition to the ten per cent peak service cut, a Sunday schedule will be in affect both Saturdays and Sundays starting this weekend.
The letter from Metro-North comes the same day the bond commission had been scheduled to consider more than 81 million dollars in bonding for 38 new commuter rail cars for the New Haven line. The meeting was postponed for the third time because of weather.
