Gov. Dannel Malloy is urging people who commute on Metro-North to avoid the rail service if possible until repairs are complete after a raging four-alarm fire broke out beneath elevated train tracks in New York.
Metro-North is operating on the Saturday schedule and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority told the Associated Press that plans are for trains to operate on an abbreviated schedule for a second straight day on Thursday.
Spokesman Nancy Gamerman said Metro-North is working to restore full service by Friday, but that commuters should expect delays because speed restrictions could still be implemented.
The schedule modification comes after a blaze ignited last night at a garden center business underneath Metro-North tracks in East Harlem, New York, halting train service and stranding thousands of commuters at Grand Central Terminal and other points.
Commuters have been dealing with delays of 60 to 80 minutes, crowded conditions and limited service.
Malloy said in a statement that he spoke with MTA President Thomas Prendergast this morning to receive an update directly and the governor's office and the Connecticut Department of Transportation are closely monitoring the situation in New York City and receiving real-time updates on the status of the Metro-North rail line.
"The MTA has assured me that it is working around the clock to complete repairs and return to full service. Those residents who can work from home or can avoid Metro-North should do so until repairs can be completed – if residents have alternative means of travel, we would strongly urge them to utilize it," Malloy said in a statement. "Trains this evening will no doubt be busy, and service will continue to be delayed and disrupted in the hours and days ahead. This will take time, and while it’s undoubtedly very frustrating for residents, we would urge patience. The MTA assures us that it is doing all that it can to bring the line back to full capacity, and our office will continue to monitor this situation exceptionally closely.”
Commuters waiting for trains this morning said they had no choice but to take Metro-North.
"I do have a meeting and I have to go in today, otherwise I’d be going back home and work from home today," John Marsala, of Branford, said.
Nancy Jordan, of Hamden, had to make the trip into New York to attend graduation at Columbia University to see her daughter get her master's degree.
"I panicked a little bit when I looked up. I asked them and they said they were working on a Saturday schedule," Jordan said. "I’m like, 'what are you talking about?' I didn’t know anything about the fire."
Scott Walsh, of Hamden, is getting his master’s in social work today and was concerned about whether he’d get to his own graduation.
“Right now, it looks like we’re going to miss it, to be honest. Times don’t work out. We’re going to be rushing,” he said at 7 a.m.
At 5 a.m. the MTA finished its last test run to make sure tracks in East Harlem were safe and in working condition following the fire and the modified Saturday schedule means trains will be running less often than normal.
Commuters are advised to check the Metro-North website for updates. NYC Transit has been cross-honoring Metro-North tickets on subways.
