New Timetables Add 102 Trains to Weekday Schedules and Return the Railroad to Full Pre-Pandemic Weekend Service
Direct Service Returns Between Grand Central and Wassaic and Grand Central and New Canaan
Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon Ferries Resume Beginning August 30, Connecting with Morning and Afternoon Peak Hudson Line Trains
New Schedules Available on MTA.info, MYmta and the Metro-North Train Time App
MTA Metro-North Railroad train service increases today with new timetables that return weekend service to full pre-pandemic levels and add 102 trains each weekday, bringing the railroad to 82% of weekday pre-pandemic levels. Direct weekday service between Grand Central and Wassaic and Grand Central and New Canaan resumes tomorrow, as will ferry service between Haverstraw and Ossining and between Newburgh and Beacon on the Hudson Line. The increases come as Metro-North prepares for a post-Labor Day return to schools and offices.
“As Metro-North riders are returning to school and the office, we are increasing service to match that demand,” said Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “In addition to adding more trains, we are excited to resume ferry service and give our West of Hudson customers the ability to connect with trains on the Hudson Line.”
New Schedules
The new schedules can be found at the links below, and via the MYmta app and the Metro-North Train Time app.
Harlem Line (Weekday / Weekend)
Hudson Line (Weekday / Weekend)
New Haven Line (Weekday / Weekend)
“I am pleased that the MTA is significantly expanding weekday service for Metro-North's Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines and returning to full pre-pandemic weekend service, just in time for the holiday weekend,” said New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “This is a crucial step in improving transit accessibility to residents in the 35th Senate District, and helping them safely return to commuting and traveling. Bringing weekday service to 82 percent of the pre pandemic schedule is great news and will go a long way to helping revitalize the region as New York continues to emerge from this pandemic."
“Metro North’s most recent service expansion is welcome news for customers who rely on Metro-North to get where they are going each week,” said Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Chair, Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. “Access to New York City is a significant asset of our region, and increased service will continue to make our economy stronger.”
“I am extremely pleased that the Haverstraw-Ossining ferry service is resuming,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. “Rockland County commuters need this service now more than ever, and our more than 500 daily pre-pandemic riders will once again have this vital connecting service option. I am grateful to Metro-North President Cathy Rinaldi and her team for acting on our advocacy and responding to Rockland County’s needs.”
“As the region prepares for a post-Labor Day return to schools and offices, we look forward to Orange County residents being able to take advantage of Metro-North’s resumption of the Newburgh-Beacon ferry service which provides connection with morning and afternoon peak Hudson Line trains,” said Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus. “We are excited that this service has resumed and appreciate the MTA’s diligent work on increasing service to meet the anticipated demand.”
On June 21, Metro-North enhanced its peak service, adding 24 trains during the peak periods on its three lines east of the Hudson River, which brought overall service to two thirds of pre-pandemic levels. The August 29 service increase builds upon that by adding 102 more trains to the schedule: 25 on the Hudson Line, 37 on the Harlem Line and 40 on the New Haven Line.
Weekend ridership at large has recovered faster than weekday ridership on Metro-North. In the spring, weekend ridership grew to around 60-70% of pre-pandemic levels as the Hudson Valley, New York City and Connecticut regions reopened and people utilized Metro-North for leisure travel. Ridership on the weekend remains around 50% of pre-pandemic levels and with the fall season coming up, Metro-North is providing additional weekend service across the region to meet the increase in ridership demand.
Direct Service Between New York City and Wassaic and New Canaan
Direct service between Grand Central Terminal and both Wassaic and New Canaan returns as both the Upper Harlem Line and the New Canaan Branch return to near full service levels. There are two direct, one-seat rides in each direction between Grand Central and Wassaic, while four morning peak trains from New Canaan to Grand Central and three afternoon peak trains from Grand Central to New Canaan are restored. These “one-seat rides” will allow Dutchess County and New Canaan residents once again to enjoy easier access to New York City without needing to transfer at Southeast or Stamford to a main-line train.
Hudson River Ferries Resume
The Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon ferry services will resume on Monday, August 30. Ferries will connect with morning and afternoon peak trains.
Waterbury Branch
Substitute busing on the Waterbury Branch will remain in effect while Metro-North and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) complete extensive renovations and upgrades on the Branch. Work is expected to be completed by late September.
Labor Day Service
On Friday, September 3, Metro-North will complement its new, expanded weekday schedule with additional early, getaway trains. Details on the additional trains will be available closer to Labor Day weekend.
On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6, Metro-North will operate an expanded Sunday train schedule.