Weekday Train Service Increasing to 89% of Pre-Pandemic Levels, Reduce Trip Times at Several Stations
Yankee Clipper Trains Return for All New York Yankees Home Games
Metro-North Railroad today announced new train schedules taking effect Sunday, March 27, that will restore 66 weekday trains on its three East of Hudson lines. The restoration of more weekday trains brings the railroad’s weekday service to 89% of its pre-pandemic levels.
“As more riders return to traditional peak periods, Metro-North is improving the attractiveness of its weekday service,” said Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “We have been listening to our customers and the message is clear – they want more trains and seating capacity as well as faster trips. This is exactly what our latest service increase provides.”
Guided by Metro-North’s Way Ahead – Moving Forward strategic plan, the improvements shorten peak-period travel times. As ridership recovers from an Omicron-caused dip in ridership, Metro-North is restoring many of its pre-pandemic zoned express-service trains. These service adjustments will provide additional seating capacity for customers and reduce trip times at several stations by up to 13 minutes.
Also reflected in the March schedule update is the return of the “Yankee Clipper” trains, special game-day trains which provide direct service to Yankees/E 153rd St Station for all New York Yankees home games. Yankee Clipper trains will be restored on all three East of Hudson lines, as well as shuttle trains between Grand Central Terminal (GCT), Harlem/125th St and Yankees/E 153rd St Station and additional stops on Hudson Line trains on each game day.
The new schedule builds on Metro-North's last schedule change in August 2021 when service increased to 82% of pre-pandemic levels, with the following additions being made to each line.
Hudson Line
Hudson Line weekday service will increase from 142 trains to 156 trains, with additional trains being added between GCT, Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie.
Service to the Breakneck Ridge station will resume in the spring once safety enhancements are completed at the station.
Harlem Line
Harlem Line weekday service will increase from 190 trains to 208 trains with additional trains between GCT, White Plains and Southeast.
New Haven Line
New Haven Line weekday service will increase from 244 trains to 278 trains with additional trains between GCT, Stamford and New Haven.