Metro-North Boosts Trains Running From Conn. To NYC
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Metro-North Railroad said more trains will be running on the New Haven Line.
Nearly a week after a circuit failed at a substation in Mount Vernon, Metro-North said the New Haven line has gotten a power boost from Con Edison's temporary substation in Harrison.
Metro-North Boosts Trains Running From Conn. To NYC
Metro North says trains will be operating at about 65 percent capacity beginning Wednesday with five additional peak trains. That's up from 50 percent since the disruption began.
In the afternoon, there will be three additional express trains to New Haven.
Interstate 95, the Merritt Parkway and other highways in southeast Connecticut have been jammed with by traffic tie-ups as commuters look for alternative ways to get to Grand Central Terminal.
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board voted to compensate monthly and weekly New Haven line ticket holders.
The board voted to offer a credit toward future purchases for New Haven line customers with monthly or weekly tickets valid for travel between September 25, 2013 and the restoration of full service.
"Because of the unprecedented magnitude and duration of this disruption, the MTA Board has concluded that a credit for our customers is simply the right thing to do," MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas F. Prendergast said.
The MTA was still working out how to handle the credit and will post information on its website later in the week.
"Detailed instructions will be going out, and they will have through March 31 to be able to gain that credit," Prendergast said.
The MTA will also seek reimbursement from Con Ed for the power outage that caused the service disruption.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said he thinks the utility should foot the bill for the credits to weekly and monthly New Haven line ticket holders.
Gov. Malloy Seeks Changes To Prevent Similar Outage Situation In Future
Malloy again questioned reliance on a solo feeder connection during work on the Mount Vernon substation.
"I think in the future what we're going to say and insist on is that before you take either line down, you build a third so that we're never in this situation again," said the governor.
The credits could cost $4 million, Prendergast said.
Officials say normal service between New Haven and New York City should resume by Oct. 8.
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