(Trains:: David Lassen)
NEW YORK — Metro-North Railroad will introduce significant service increases late this month, returning operations to 82% of pre-pandemic levels, including the full restoration of weekend service.
The changes, beginning Sunday, Aug. 29, also include the return of direct service between Grand Central Termainl and Wassaic and New Canaan. The new schedule reflects the fact weekend service has recovered from lower pandemic ridership more quickly than weekday ridership.
“Throughout this pandemic we have matched service levels with ridership demand, and as we gear up for more people to return to the office and school, we are increasing service to meet that demand,” Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi said in a press release. “Our weekend ridership has recovered the fastest which is why we felt comfortable restoring weekend service to pre-pandemic levels, and hope to do the same with weekday service in the near future.”
In all, the new schedule will add 102 trains: 25 on the Hudson Line, 37 on the Harlem Line, and 40 on the New Haven Line.
