The Metro-North Railroad recently announced several changes to its weekday service schedule, effective January 16, 2024. These changes are the result of ongoing efforts to replace crucial track and switches near Grand Central and will impact rush-hour services. The project is expected to conclude by early spring.
Metro-North has provided details of affected trains and alternative options for commuters. They recommend that all passengers, especially those departing from Grand Central, consult TrainTime for potential minor changes and service updates that may affect their departure times. Note that some trains will depart from different tracks than usual.
Service changes are impacting the following Metro-North Lines:
Hudson Line:
- The 7:03 a.m. train from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central will be unavailable. Passengers are advised to take the 6:48 a.m. or 7:11 a.m. trains instead.
- The 7:35 a.m. train from Irvington to Grand Central will be unavailable. Passengers are advised to take the 7:31 a.m. train from Croton-Harmon to Grand Central. It will depart 10 minutes earlier than usual to include the stops of both trains.
- The 6:11 p.m. train from Grand Central to Poughkeepsie will be unavailable. Passengers are advised to take the 6:15 p.m. train instead.
- The 6:22 p.m. train from Grand Central to Croton-Harmon will be unavailable. Passengers are advised to take the 6:25 p.m. train instead.
Harlem Line:
- The 7:32 a.m. train from Southeast to Grand Central will be unavailable. Passengers are advised to take the 7:20 a.m. train from Southeast to Grand Central. It will depart two minutes earlier than usual to include the stops of both trains.
- The 4:48 p.m. train from Grand Central to Crestwood will be unavailable. Passengers are advised to take the 4:44 p.m. train from Grand Central to North White Plains. It will depart at 4:45 to include the stops of both trains.
- The 5:27 p.m. train from Grand Central to Southeast will be unavailable.
- The 5:29 p.m. train from Grand Central to Brewster will depart at 5:27 and continue to Southeast.
- The 5:17 p.m. train from Grand Central to Wassaic will add stops at Croton Falls, Purdys, and Goldens Bridge.
- The 6:10 p.m. train from Grand Central to Southeast will be unavailable. Passengers are advised to take the 6:04 p.m. train, which will depart two minutes earlier than usual to include the stops of both trains.
New Haven Line:
- The 6:07 p.m. train from Grand Central to New Haven will be unavailable.
- The 6:12 p.m. train from Grand Central to Bridgeport will be extended to New Haven and include the stops of both trains.
Service Changes Precede Expansion Efforts
The announcement of Metro-North’s service changes came a day before Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Westchester County Executive George Latimer expressed their support for increased service of the line. On January 17th, the pair jointly urged the MTA to study direct access for Hudson Line trains to Penn Station, aligning with progress on the West Side Access program. Mayor Spano emphasized the immediate economic and commuting benefits of the proposed expansion, stating, “Yonkers supports Westchester County’s quest to expand transportation access.”
