Wednesday morning rail news, with three of the last commuter rail and transit agencies still on regular schedules announcing coronavirus-related cuts:
— New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will cut service on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad as of Friday, while cuts to subway service that begin today reflect an increasing shortage of transit workers as well as a sharp drop in ridership. LIRR service will be cut by about a third, with capacity reduced by 68%, while Metro-North will see cuts of about 50%, although there will be some additional trains during peak hours. On the subway, service has been suspended on the the B, W, and Z lines — all of which have other services along the same routes — while the 4, 5, 6, 7, J and D express lines will run local on all or part of their routes. A total of 52 MTA workers have now tested positive for the Coronavirus; Politico reports that more than 800 trains were delayed Monday because of crew shortages.
— LA-area commuter railroad Metrolink will move to a reduced schedule as of Thursday, balancing a ridership drop that had reached 80% as of last week with the need to continue to provide service for essential workers during California’s stay-at-home orders. The new schedules, effective until further notice, are available here. Ongoing coronavirus measures include addition of more hand sanitizers on trains and additional porters who board trains to provide touchpoint cleaning throughout the day.
— The board of the Denver-area Regional Transportation District has approved significant service reductions in April in response to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as previously considered cuts because of operator shortages. The Denver Post reports that the board approved the changes by a 14-1 vote, reflecting a systemwide ridership drop from 347,000 passengers per day to about 100,000 per day since mid-March. The new schedules, starting April 19, will see light rail operate on Sunday schedules, with no service on the C and F lines and 30-minute frequencies on the R Line, and a modified Saturday schedule for buses. The three commuter rail lines will remain on normal schedules, pending discussions between the RTD and its contract operator.
Denver RTD is inept and has been too unreliable to use for months. You have to check on line to see if the train is actually going to show up. Why are they going to continue their unreliable schedule for another month? Every train I have seen in the last week has only had two cars which does not lend to social distancing. I live near the C and D lines and used to walk to the Sheraton station to go downtown and pick up mail for the Rocky Mountain RR Club. Now I drive instead.
RTD should cut their schedule immediately and increase all remaining trains to the maximum of four cars like the smart agencies in the east.
Houston’s METRORail is suspending fare charges to offer free rides. While METRO buses are also free, passengers must enter the rear side doors to protect drivers from contamination. Light rail operators are in closed cabins. Certain seats on both trains and buses are closed so passengers are spaced apart.