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Catherine Rinaldi

Upgrades Completed At 'Vital' Westchester Railroad Yard After 23 Years Upgrades Completed At 'Vital' Westchester Railroad Yard After 23 Years
Upgrades Completed At 'Vital' Westchester Railroad Yard After 23 Years After more than two decades, upgrades at a Northern Westchester railroad yard that serves as an important hub of operations for Metro-North have finally been completed. The MTA announced the completion of modernization efforts at the Croton-Harmon Yard in Croton-On-Hudson meant to improve train reliability and performance on Friday, May 10. According to MTA officials, the project, which included state and federal funding, was started in 2001 after the site was determined to be inadequate at meeting the needs of crews who maintain the railroad's fleet of trains.  The project's final ph…
MTA Announces Schedule Changes For Hudson, Harlem, New Haven Lines: Here's When They Start MTA Announces Schedule Changes For Hudson, Harlem, New Haven Lines: Here's When They Start
MTA Announces Schedule Changes For Hudson, Harlem, New Haven Lines: Here's When They Start To accommodate Metro-North crews working to replace sections of track and switches in Grand Central Station, officials have announced schedule changes for Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven line trains.  The upcoming schedule changes will take effect on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and are expected to last until early spring, according to Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi.  "The tracks and switches in and around the Grand Central Terminal complex are at the heart of the Metro-North system," Rinaldi said, adding, "It is vital that we keep those tracks in a state of good re…
New Look: Rail-Cleaning 'Laser Train' To Clean NY Metro-North Routes Of Fallen Leaves New Look: Rail-Cleaning 'Laser Train' To Clean NY Metro-North Routes Of Fallen Leaves
New Look: Rail-Cleaning 'Laser Train' To Clean NY Metro-North Routes Of Fallen Leaves In order to clean its New York rail routes of slimy sludge left behind by fallen autumn leaves, Metro-North will be employing its "Laser Train," which has been given an all-new retro-inspired look.  This year will mark the first time that the "Laser Train" has been marked any differently than regular maintenance trains, Metro-North announced on Tuesday, Oct. 17.  The futuristic trains were developed in order to clear rails of wet, slimy leaf sludge caused by a chemical in fallen leaves called pectin. This substance can cause trains to slip along the rails as they brake, resulting …
Hungry? Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Kicks Off At White Plains Eatery Hungry? Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Kicks Off At White Plains Eatery
Hungry? Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Kicks Off At White Plains Eatery It's official: Fall 2023's Hudson Valley Restaurant Week has officially started with a kickoff event held at a Westchester eatery.  The fall kickoff was held at Red Horse by David Burke located in White Plains inside the Opus Westchester in White Plains at 221 Main St. (Route 119), Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Earlier Report - Fall Lineup: Dates, Participating Eateries Revealed For Hudson Valley Restaurant Week The modern American steakhouse, which features prime beef dry-aged to celebrity chef David Burke's patented Himalay…
'Leaf Peeper' Metro-North Trains Available For Autumn Lovers In Hudson Valley: Here's When 'Leaf Peeper' Metro-North Trains Available For Autumn Lovers In Hudson Valley: Here's When
'Leaf Peeper' Metro-North Trains Available For Autumn Lovers In Hudson Valley: Here's When Metro-North has good news for those who have waited all year for the leaves to change colors in the Hudson Valley.  Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 7, Metro-North will be adding extra "leaf peeper" trains to the Hudson Line that will take autumn-loving riders to the "incomparably scenic" Hudson River Valley for views of fall foliage, MTA officials announced.  Five of these extra trains will be added on Saturdays, while four extra trains will be added on Sundays, officials added.  "Fall is the best season to experience all that the Hudson Valley has to offer," said Metro-Nor…
New Update: Metro-North Service Nearly Restored After Storm Damage In Westchester New Update: Metro-North Service Nearly Restored After Storm Damage In Westchester
New Update: Metro-North Service Nearly Restored After Storm Damage In Westchester Metro-North train service in the Hudson Valley is almost fully back to normal following a severe storm that caused extensive damage to tracks, rendering them impassable for days.  Service has been nearly fully restored on both the Metro-North Hudson Line and Upper Harlem Line following severe storm damage that caused trains to be suspended on Sunday afternoon, July 9, MTA officials announced on Tuesday, July 11.  Earlier Report - New Update: Buses To Replace Suspended Metro-North Trains After Storms In Northern Westchester According to officials, on Wednesday, July 12, the Hudson Line will…
New Update: Buses To Replace Suspended Metro-North Trains After Storms In Westchester New Update: Buses To Replace Suspended Metro-North Trains After Storms In Westchester
New Update: Buses To Replace Suspended Metro-North Trains After Storms In Westchester In the aftermath of severe storms that left Hudson Line tracks covered in water and debris, Metro-North officials have announced that a limited bus service will replace suspended trains in the Hudson Valley.  The limited bus service will begin serving the Hudson Line at around 1 p.m. on Monday, July 10, and will make stops between the Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie stations, MTA officials announced.  Earlier Report - Metro-North Railroad Announces Service Changes Due To Storm Damage These stops will include the Cortlandt and Beacon stations as well.  The buses wil…
Missing Toddler Rescued From Train Tracks Near Tarrytown Station: Video Missing Toddler Rescued From Train Tracks Near Tarrytown Station: Video
Missing Toddler Rescued From Train Tracks Near Tarrytown Station: Video Several Metro-North employees are receiving recognition for rescuing a missing three-year-old boy who they spotted on train tracks near a station in Westchester.  The incident happened on Thursday, April 6 around 3:15 p.m., when MTA Locomotive Engineer William Kennedy was operating a southbound Hudson Line train north of Tarrytown station when he noticed a young child on the northbound track, according to MTA officials.  Kennedy then sent out an emergency radio communication to all nearby train crews to let them know about the child.  Soon after this, northbound Train 737, operated by Loc…
Woman Indicted For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin In Westchester Woman Indicted For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin In Westchester
Woman Indicted For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin In Westchester A 21-year-old woman has been indicted for allegedly assaulting a Metro-North conductor with a pumpkin after being asked for a ticket, the Westchester County District Attorney announced. Bronx resident Alexis Adams was riding the train shortly after 6 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2021, when she was confronted by a conductor asking her to produce a ticket, or else leave at the next stop. It is alleged that Adams proceeded to hit the conductor in the face with a pumpkin and then punched her in the face and head multiple times. The conductor was transported to a local hospital where she received medical t…
Metro-North To Add Dozens Of Trains To Weekday Schedule Metro-North To Add Dozens Of Trains To Weekday Schedule
Metro-North To Add Dozens Of Trains To Weekday Schedule Sixty-six trains will be added to Metro-North's weekday schedule later this month as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority works to restore regular service to pre-pandemic levels. The new trains will be added to the schedule on Sunday, March 27, according to an announcement from the Business Council of Westchester. The business council said the addition of the trains will bring the railroad to 89 percent of its pre-pandemic service, although ridership during weekdays remains at around 50 percent of the levels before the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are seeing extremely strong ridership eas…
Metro-North President Named Interim Leader Of LIRR Metro-North President Named Interim Leader Of LIRR
Metro-North President Named Interim Leader Of Lirr Longtime Long Island Rail Road President Phillip Eng announced that he will be stepping down after decades in New York State Public Service and he will be temporarily replaced by a familiar face. Eng, a Smithtown resident who has been working in public service for nearly 39 years, announced on Thursday, Feb. 10 that he was retiring in a letter sent to MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber. “I can retire knowing that I leave the LIRR well-positioned for continued success with a dedicated management team and a tenacious workforce who are delivering the best train performance in LIRR history while…
Woman Charged For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin In Westchester Woman Charged For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin In Westchester
Woman Charged For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin In Westchester A 21-year-old woman is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a Metro-North conductor with a pumpkin after being asked for a ticket, the Westchester County District Attorney announced. Bronx resident Alexis Adams was riding the train shortly after 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 11 when she was confronted by a conductor asking her to produce a ticket, or else leave at the next stop. It is alleged that Adams proceeded to hit the conductor in the face with a pumpkin and then punched her in the face and head multiple times. The conductor was transported to a local hospital where she received medic…
Metro-North To Start Upgrading Parking Lots At Three Hudson Valley Stations Metro-North To Start Upgrading Parking Lots At Three Hudson Valley Stations
Metro-North To Start Upgrading Parking Lots At Three Hudson Valley Stations Metro-North Railroad has announced a series of parking lot upgrades at three Hudson Valley stations. MTA said upgrades will be made at the stations in Putnam County -- in Cold Spring -- and Dutchess County -- in Beacon, and New Hamburg -- in August and September. MTA said temporary closures and parking restrictions will be necessary as work is underway to create better drainage and install new pavement and pavement markings. The Cold Spring parking lot will be closed for about a week beginning Monday, Aug. 16 while crews work on the area. MTA said the lot will be repaved with new asphalt. …
MTA Fires Proud Boys Member From Hudson Valley Involved In Capitol Riot MTA Fires Proud Boys Member From Hudson Valley Involved In Capitol Riot
MTA Fires Proud Boys Member From Hudson Valley Involved In Capitol Riot An alleged member of the Proud Boys from the Hudson Valley who was active at the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol has been fired from his job with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Dutchess County resident William Pepe, of Beacon, was charged last month with conspiracy; civil disorder; unlawfully entering restricted buildings or grounds, and disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted buildings or grounds last month for his role in the insurrection. Original story - Proud Boys Member From Hudson Valley Pleads Not Guilty To Role In Riot At U.S. Capitol A laborer at the…
COVID-19: Ridership Down 98 Percent, More Schedule Changes Likely, Metro-North President Says COVID-19: Ridership Down 98 Percent, More Schedule Changes Likely, Metro-North President Says
Covid-19: Ridership Down 98 Percent, More Schedule Changes Likely, Metro-North President Says In a letter to Metro-North riders, the company's president, Catherine Rinaldi, says ridership is down 98 percent due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and that more schedule changes are likely. As April starts, our region is entering the fourth month of the new reality of COVID-19. And it has been three weeks since Gov. Andrew Cuomo placed New York on “pause” to slow the spread of the virus and flatten the curve, Rinaldi wrote. "What was before an unimaginable reality has changed how we work, how we play and how we look at one another," she said. "Most of us never pictured the day…
COVID-19: Metro-North To Cut Service With Ridership Falling To All-Time Low COVID-19: Metro-North To Cut Service With Ridership Falling To All-Time Low
Covid-19: Metro-North To Cut Service With Ridership Falling To All-Time Low With commuters staying home due to the novel coronavirus outbreak that’s gripping the nation, the MTA announced it will be cutting down its service amid historically low ridership numbers. Beginning on Friday, March 27, with the MTA reportedly losing weekly losses of more than $100 million with ridership down more than 90 percent, the organization has laid out a new “Essential Service Plan.” The plan calls for extra trains during peak commuting hours for first responders and health care workers, though the MTA will be cutting services throughout the rest of the day, MTA Chair Patrick Foye …
Metro-North Announces New Safety Improvements, Positive Train Control Metro-North Announces New Safety Improvements, Positive Train Control
Metro-North Announces New Safety Improvements, Positive Train Control The MTA has taken steps to ensure the safety of Metro-North riders. Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi announced that “Positive Train Control” has been extended to cover nearly 90 percent of the Hudson Line. All Hudson Line trains, including Amtrak and CSX, are now operating in Positive Train Control for the 67 miles between Marble Hill and Poughkeepsie. According to the MTA, Positive Train Control is a signal system safety enhancement that reduces the potential for human error to cause specific types of train collisions and derailments. In Connecticut, trains traveling on the 23-mil…
Metro-North Railroad Holding Customer Forums In Area Metro-North Railroad Holding Customer Forums In Area
Metro-North Railroad Holding Customer Forums In Area Metro-North Railroad will host a series of open-house style forums to discuss upcoming railroad initiatives. The initiates are focused on improving train service as well as overall customer experience. During the “Connect With Us” forums, daily commuters, leisure travelers, community members and stakeholders are encouraged to engage in constructive dialogue with Metro-North leaders, who will listen to all feedback and answer questions. These forums have already taken place at 10 other stations: North White Plains, Beacon, Brewster, Croton Harmon, Nanuet, Harriman, Mount Vernon East, Bridg…
Here's What's New As Playland Starts Season Here's What's New As Playland Starts Season
Here's What's New As Playland Starts Season The unofficial start of summer is here, as Rye Playland's opening weekend is now here. Playland officially opens for the season at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, with a parade featuring a marching band, local officials, staff, and Coaster the Dragon, the amusement park’s official mascot. Opening Day will feature a special $20 admission price, which will allow patrons unlimited rides. There will also be discounted prices on Sunday for Mother’s Day. This year, the annual concert series will include nearly a dozen new local musical acts, as well as a public art display. The park will …
Metro-North Employees' Overtime Pay Under Scrutiny Metro-North Employees' Overtime Pay Under Scrutiny
Metro-North Employees' Overtime Pay Under Scrutiny Overtime pay at the MTA has gone off the rails, with the agency paying its workers more than $400 million in overtime last year, including $344,000 to one Long Island Railroad employee and 25 Metro-North employees that doubled their salaries in overtime. Despite a year fraught with delayed, canceled and stalled trains, as well as the seventh fare hike in less than a decade, a new study released by Empire Center found that MTA’s overtime rose by nearly 16 percent last year. In total, the MTA shelled out $418 million in overtime more than five times what the anticipated price hike that took …
Waze Aims To Provide Metro-North Rail-Crossing Alerts Waze Aims To Provide Metro-North Rail-Crossing Alerts
Waze Aims To Provide Metro-North Rail-Crossing Alerts Long overdue, but will it save lives at dangerous area railroad crossings? Time will tell. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced it is partnering with Waze to improve safety at railroad crossings of Metro-North commuter railroad and Long Island Rail Road. “Safety is a core value at the MTA and its commuter railroads -- for our customers and our employees -- as well as for those in the communities we serve," MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said.  This is the first feature of its kind to debut on the app and is tied to an ongoing collaboration with Waze as part of the Conn…
Metro-North Kicks Off $10.2 Million Bridge Project In Westchester Metro-North Kicks Off $10.2 Million Bridge Project In Westchester
Metro-North Kicks Off $10.2 Million Bridge Project In Westchester A busy Mount Vernon bridge will be closed off for nearly a year as Metro-North begins a multi-million dollar replacement project. Beginning on Monday, May 7, the 14th Avenue bridge will be closed for an estimated 10 months, as Metro-North kicks off a $10.2 million project to replace the 94-foot bridge, which was first built in 1894. According to Metro-North officials, the first step of the project involves the demolition of the old bridge. “For 10 long years, Mount Vernon’s north side was cut off from the south side, harming quality of life and jeopardizing public safety,” Mount Vernon May…
State Of The Art Improvements Planned For White Plains Metro-North Station State Of The Art Improvements Planned For White Plains Metro-North Station
State Of The Art Improvements Planned For White Plains Metro-North Station Metro-North Railroad on Friday, March 30, announced that a full-scale renewal project that will bring state of the art improvements to the White Plains station is underway. The project will give Metro-North customers a reimagined station, one that’s more accessible to all, safer, easier to navigate, and technologically up-to-date.  The White Plains station has the third highest ridership in the Metro-North system, second only to Stamford and Grand Central Terminal. The revitalized White Plains station will have a more customer friendly focus, making commuting easier and more pleasant for…
First Woman Named Metro-North President First Woman Named Metro-North President
First Woman Named Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi has been named the first female president of Metro-North Railroad.  Rinaldi, has served as acting president of Metro-North since July 2017, and previously was Metro-North’s executive vice president, beginning in 2015.  On Wednesday, Feb. 21 she was officially named president.  She replaces Joe Giulietti who resigned last July after three years leading the railroad. Giulietti became Metro-North’s president in 2014, following railroad troubles that included a Bridgeport derailment in 2013.  Under his watch, the railroad set ridership records in 2016, as the New Haven Line …