Hudson Line MNR Service To Resume In Time For Wednesday Morning Rush
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Just a few days after a deadly derailment killed four people in the Bronx, commuters will be able to get back on track Wednesday morning.
Metro-North Railroad will reopen one track in time for tomorrow's commute, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
"Thanks to an extraordinary effort and around the clock work, over 98 percent of service will be restored for Hudson Line commuters in time for tomorrow morning's rush hour," Cuomo said. "I'd like to thank our Metro-North crews and first responders who have been working tirelessly to reopen the Hudson Line as quickly as possible."
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"The extraordinary work of Metro-North forces has enabled a rapid resumption of service and I commend them," MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast said.
There will be a revised train schedule for the morning commute:
· The 7:15 AM from Scarborough to Grand Central Terminal is combined with the 7:16 AM train from Croton-Harmon, which will make all stops of both trains.
· The 7:37 AM from Ossining to Grand Central Terminal is combined with the 7:40 AM train from Croton-Harmon, which will make all stops of both trains.
· The 8:45 AM train from Greystone to Grand Central Terminal is combined with the 8:22 AM train from Croton-Harmon, which will make all stops of both trains.
The Hudson RailLink bus service will serve the Spuyten Duyvil Station, but there will be no parking at that station because of the presence of numerous heavy-duty trucks and specialized track equipment needed for the rebuilding effort, Cuomo's office said.
Commuters were advised to expect possible 10-15 minute delays.
The toppled train cars were removed from the scene Monday, along with debris. Roughly 800 feet of track was damaged in the accident, according to Cuomo's office. Two tracks remain badly damaged, though a third at the site is ready to reopen tomorrow. Repairs will continue on the damaged tracks.
Speaking to CBS 2's Dave Carlin Tuesday night, riders said one track is better than none. But still they expect the commute to be challenging.
"It will be a bit of a madhouse," said Bianca Gardner of Briarcliff Manor. "The traffic's been crazy because of the intense pressure on the roads, so I'm sure it will be difficult to get a seat."
"From what I hear, they're going to get it up and running fairly shortly," added John Gilfillan. "So maybe they'll be put out for a week, and people can put up with that if they have to. New Yorkers are resilient."
Some 900 gallons of diesel fuel was siphoned from the locomotive before it was removed from the scene, Cuomo's office said in a statement. The fuel never reached the nearby Harlem or Hudson rivers.
Since the derailment, the MTA had been providing bus service between Yonkers and the subway terminal at 242nd Street as repair work continued at the site.
A spokesman said Tuesday's early morning commute was lighter than usual.
Crews have been working around the clock to repair the tracks on the Hudson line since Sunday morning's accident near the Spuyten Duyvil station that killed four people and injured more than 60 others.
Two days in to the service disruptions, commuters said the process had been long, but organized.
"A ferry to the train to the bus to another train to the subway, so it's going to take me a long time to get down to Wall Street," said Lenae Madonna from Haverstraw.
"It was very smooth," another rider said.
As WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported, a commute that's double the norm seems typical among Hudson line riders on the train-bus-subway detour.
But a commuter from Beacon said his commute was 15 minutes shorter on Monday because of the detour.
"Very pleased with what Metro-North is doing here as far as the convenience for everybody. It's unbelievable how smooth," the man told Murnane.
Regular Hudson Line Service Remains Suspended As Work Continues At Crash Site
Ridership reportedly grew by about 20 percent on the Harlem line on Monday. Everyday riders on the 1 train said sharing the ride puts a squeeze on their commute.
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