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MTA Invokes Emergency Powers For Repairs

Posted by
on September 2nd, 2011 at 1:22 am

Catching up on some news from the last couple of days, the MTA has invoked emergency powers to cut through the typical red tape so they can get the funding necessary to make emergency repairs to the Metro-North’s Port Jervis line which was devastated by Hurricane Irene.

MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder today invoked emergency powers to ensure that all necessary resources are brought to bear and red tape eliminated in the rebuilding of Metro-North Railroad’s devastated Port Jervis Line. Chairman Walder today surveyed the catastrophic damage inflicted on the line west of the Hudson River with MTA Board Members Susan Metzger and Carl Wortendyke, and federal, state and local officials.

“The damage suffered by the Port Jervis Line can only be described as catastrophic,” Walder said. “There are sections of track literally suspended in the air, and in many places we will have to build a new railroad from scratch, from the foundation to the tracks to the signals. I have directed Metro-North to take such steps as are necessary to expeditiously and fully address the catastrophic damage suffered along the Port Jervis Line as a result of Irene. Rebuilding this infrastructure is going to be a long and difficult process, but we are taking every action in our power to continue serving our customers, to reduce unnecessary delay and to communicate every step of the way.”

“The Port Jervis Line is critical to the MTA’s West of Hudson customers, so it’s important that we use emergency powers to remove red tape and rebuild this infrastructure as quickly as possible,” said MTA Board Member Susan Metzger.

“Residents of Rockland and Orange Counties rely on this service every day, so I’m glad that we’ll be able to provide a range of alternative services to our customers,” said MTA Board Member Carl Wortendyke.

The MTA is committed to taking the following actions necessary to continue serving customers and to begin the rebuilding process immediately

• MTA Buses and bus operators will provide bus service on the impacted route until the infrastructure can be rebuilt and rail service can be restored. Local bus companies will also be utilized.

• Emergency powers will be used to expedite the rebuilding process:

o Existing funding will be tapped to begin work even as the MTA pursues FEMA and insurance compensation for the extensive storm damage.
o Normal procurement rules will be waived to allow Metro-North to quickly acquire the resources and assistance needed to rebuild, beginning immediately with the hiring of an engineering consultant to advise on the work.

• Special efforts will be made to communicate with the communities and customers who will be faced with long-term inconvenience, including:

o An MTA liaison will be assigned to meet with all local officials on a regular basis for the duration of the outage.

o A special website will be posted with regular updates on the progress of the rebuilding and the alternative service that will be offered, and social media will also be used to reach as many people as possible.

o The MTA will work with all local, state and federal officials to ensure proactive communication with customers on all parts of the Port Jervis Line.

The MTA has begun a careful and disciplined survey of every mile of the Port Jervis Line and all supporting structures, systems and equipment. A team of diverse specialists is being assembled to assess the full extent of damage and develop a work plan that addresses the need to rebuild miles of the right of way. This includes new foundation, tracks, switching equipment and signals, new bridges and even repair of parking areas as required. The MTA is committed to rebuilding this 100-year-old railway to 21st century standards.

Thankfully the MTA is doing the right thing here & doing what it takes to avoid the standard red tape that comes with acquiring funds from the government. Hurricane Irene caused literal catastrophic damage along the Port Jervis line based on the pictures we have seen. The faster the repairs can be made, the better.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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New Canaan Service Resumes Shortly

Posted by
on August 30th, 2011 at 2:44 pm

Just a few minutes ago, the MTA sent word out that service on the Metro-North’s New Canaan branch will resume this afternoon. The first train will be the 3:57 from Stamford, due in New Canaan at 4:14.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Metro-North Restores 85% Of Peak Service

Posted by
on August 29th, 2011 at 6:28 pm

Hot off the presses via email:

On Tuesday, August 30, MTA Metro-North Railroad will resume regular weekday service for 85% of its AM peak customers providing service on the entire Hudson Line, entire New Haven Main Line and the Lower Harlem Line as far as North White Plains.

Service remains suspended due to damage caused by Hurricane Irene on the Upper Harlem and New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branch lines, East of the Hudson River and on the Port Jervis Line west of the Hudson River. These branches carry about 15% of Metro-North’s total AM Peak customers.

Metro-North crews continue to work around-the-clock to clear the tracks, repair signal systems and restore power despite trees that are continuing to fall. Following all repair efforts, patrol trains have to operate to ensure the safety of the tracks before resuming service.

Metro-North We will continue to restore as much service as possible once we have determined that it is safe to do so.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Metro-North Update For Tuesday Service

Posted by
on August 29th, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Just a short time ago, the MTA Metro-North Railroad sent word out for their plans for Tuesday service:

On Tuesday: Metro-North resumes regular weekday service on the Hudson Line, New Haven Line Main Line, and Lower Harlem Line

Service Suspensions Remain in Effect on the Upper Harlem and New Haven Branch Lines.

Metro-North crews continue to work around-the-clock to clear the tracks, repair signal systems and restore power despite trees that are continuing to fall.

Following all repair efforts, patrol trains have to operate to ensure the safety of the tracks before resuming service.

Considering the severity of the storm, a strong thanks should be passed on to workers who have helped restore even this level of service so quickly. The same goes for those who helped get the buses, subways, Staten Island Railway, & Long Island Rail Road back up so quickly.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Partial Metro-North Service Resumes At 2PM

Posted by
on August 29th, 2011 at 1:04 pm

Just a couple of minutes ago, the MTA sent word that partial Metro-North service will resume at 2PM. Here are the details:

Metro-North will begin operating a Sunday schedule at 2 PM today, Monday, August 29, on the Lower Hudson and Lower Harlem Lines. In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, Metro-North crews continue to work around-the-clock, assess conditions, clear the tracks and repair the infrastructure.

Metro-North will continue to restore as much service as possible once it is safe to do so.

The following service will be in effect:

On the Lower Hudson Line, a regular Sunday Schedule will be in effect between Grand Central and Croton-Harmon only beginning with the following trains:

Inbound Departures from Croton-Harmon:

• 2 PM from Croton-Harmon; All stops to Grand Central.

• 2:34 PM from Croton-Harmon; Limited stop express to Grand Central.

Outbound Departures from Grand Central:

• 2:20 PM to Croton-Harmon; All stops to Croton-Harmon.
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On the Lower Harlem Line a regular Sunday Schedule will be in effect between Grand Central and North White Plains only starting with the following trains.

Inbound departures from North White Plains:

• 2:01 PM North White Plains & White Plains, then Express to Grand Central

• 2:08 PM All stops to Grand Central

Outbound Departures from Grand Central:

• 2:25 PM All stops from Fordham to North White Plains

• 2:48 PM Express to White Plains/North White Plains

Customers may use our interactive schedules page to view all train times.

New Haven Line, Upper Hudson, Upper Harlem and New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury Branch Line Services remain suspended. There is still no signal and third-rail power because of downed transmission poles, trees continuing to fall and water-damaged substations. Following all repair efforts, patrols trains have to operate to ensure the safety of the tracks before resuming service.

On the West of Hudson, Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Line service remains suspended today. In particular, water continues to flood sections of the Port Jervis Line making it difficult to assess the full impact of the hurricane to critical infrastructure.

Off-Peak fares will be in effect, and Metro-North will honor West-of-Hudson tickets on the Hudson Line.

Overnight, hundreds of Metro-North crews addressed several mudslides and washouts along the Hudson Line, removed numerous fallen trees on all three train lines, pumped water out of key locations, restored signal and power systems, repaired and replaced switch motors. The difficulty of these efforts was compounded by the significant road closures in the territory.

Customers are urged to monitor media reports for the latest information, check the MTA’s website at http://www.mta.info and sign up for customer email and text message alerts.

Metro-North regrets any inconvenience you may experience as a result of this service disruption due to Hurricane Irene.

I will continue to post updates as I receive them.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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