Reduced Winter Schedule Further Emphasizes New Canaan Line's Poor Service

[Editor's Note: The author sent the following letter to MTA Metro-North president Howard R. Permut on Feb. 3.]

Further to my [sent on] Jan. 25, I have examined the new New Haven line schedule that is due to take effect Feb. 7.  The changes to the schedule further emphasize the essential context of my previous letter that "New Canaan branch line customers receive a substandard service."

In my previous letter, I provided insight to the schedule change of September 2010 that changed the 6:04 p.m. to become the 6:11 p.m. This original change resulted in the 6:08 p.m. becoming the first train to service Stamford after an 11-minute gap, from a prior seven-minute gap. This original change resulted in the current overcrowding situation irrespective of the current shortage of equipment.

The new schedule eliminates the 5:09 p.m. service. While this is a disappointment, there is a greater impact to the 6:08 p.m. New Canaan service due to elimination of the 5:57 p.m. service providing service to Stamford.

Elimination of the 5:57 p.m. service now leaves a gap of 18 minutes, between the 5:50 p.m. and the 6:08 p.m. service, making the 6:08 p.m. branch line train the first service to Stamford. 

The 6:08 p.m. is immediately followed by four further services that serve Stamford 6:11 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:17 p.m. and 6:22 p.m. In this schedule configuration there is absolutely no relief whatsoever to New Canaan line customers.

It is obvious to me, as a New Canaan line customer that our complaints about scheduling and overcrowding are not being taken into consideration. The consequence for New Canaan line customers is a further reduction in service and more overcrowding.

Once again, I request, that a thorough and informed investigation into the scheduling and overcrowded services that currently serve New Canaan branch line customers.

Sincerely,

Brian B. Mitchell