Sara Florian commutes to New York only a few times a week. But shes still distraught over Metro-Norths recent announcement of possible weekday cutbacks on the New Haven line. Sara has already noticed a slew of weather-related problems on the ride from Fairfield to Grand Central every Monday and Thursday.
Monday night, I was due to get in at 7:15 and the train didnt get in until 7:35, Sara said. And it was so overcrowded they werent capable of checking peoples tickets.
Some 80 of Metro-Norths 337 trains are down due to such problems as frozen brakes, doors jammed by ice and traction motors that need to be replaced. Last week, a passenger posted a video of a door wide open with people standing inches away as a packed train from New Canaan passed through Harlem.
The extreme weather causes the electronic and air systems on our 40-year-old-plus New Haven Line fleet to fail," MTA officials said in a statement Wednesday.
The schedule changes wont take effect until next week at the earliest, but commuters are already feeling the effects of each storm. For the rest of the week, they can expect 20- to 25-minute delays and packed trains.
Christina Campisi takes the train to New York only occasionally, but like many in Fairfield she knows many commuters. Theyve told her plenty of horror stories about what to expect this winter. Monday, for instance, her boyfriends train was cramped and 20 minutes late.
Theyve said its just awful, Christina says. Im happy I dont commute more.
For the near future, all commuters can do is adjust to a bad situation. Sara says shell just have to arrive even earlier than 6:15 p.m. for her train back home.
So its just going to mean longer days in general for me, Sara says.
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Your fellow Fairfield County train riders also are speaking out about Metro-North. To see more stories, click on the headlines below:
Metro-North Cuts Service for February
Darien Commuters Left in the Cold by Train Delays
Rail Riders in Greenwich Face Delays and Packed Trains
Weather, Delays Aggravate New Canaan Metro-North Riders
New Canaan Train Riders Endure Tree Delay
Riders in Norwalk Learn To Live With Train Woes
Stamford Train Tales: From Smooth to Nightmare
Wilton Commuters Deal With Train Woes
How has your commute been recently? Vent your frustrations in the comments below.
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