Metro-North Downgrades On-Time Performance Goals In New Timetables Coming In May
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy is pushing Metro-North Railroad to maintain strong on-time performance goals as a new timetable is set to take effect next month.
As WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported, new timetables are sometimes accompanied by the slogan "new, faster service," but no one's expecting a step ahead with the coming new schedules.
The railroad has lowered its on-time performance goal from more than 97 percent to 92 percent, Murnane reported.
In a letter to Metro-North president Joseph Giulietti, Malloy wrote: "I expect that the new schedule will reflect your commitment to deliver a comprehensive program of safe, reliable and fast service in Connecticut. Indeed, Connecticut will not approve the new schedule without it."
Gov. Malloy has questioned the railroad's dialing back of on-time performance goals.
"From what I have been told, the schedule changes are adding minutes to train times and reducing the target for on-time performance - and we have not received an adequate explanation for either," Malloy's letter said.
WEB EXTRA: Read Malloy's Full Letter (pdf)
Some commuters in Stamford seemed displeased with the railroad's coming slower service, Murnane reported.
"They'll build it in like an airline?" one man said. "That should be interesting. That's probably what's going to happen. They'll build it in so they can be more on time."
"Unfortunately, you have no other alternative. It's either that or battle traffic," another Stamford resident said.
"If they're changing the train times, it's going to mean that I need to leave even earlier and make sure that I build in another half an hour just in case they're late," a woman added.
In his letter to Giulietti, Malloy also urged the railroad to embrace half-hourly off-peak service from New Haven.
The governor added safety, reliability and a timely ride are mutually attainable for Metro-North.
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