FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2018
Contact: John Lyon 845-638-5645

New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day held a meeting with high level personnel from Metro-North Railroad (MNR) and New Jersey Transit (NJT) at the County Executive's office in New City to discuss challenges and concerns relating to train cancellations on the Pascack Valley Line (PVL). This meeting was convened on June 12, 2018, in an effort to respond to commuter concerns after NJT announced system-wide temporary train cancellations to facilitate Positive Train Control improvements.

"It is critical that we have these executive level meetings to identify any and all ways to mitigate the challenges faced by commuters on the Pascack Valley Line," said County Executive Day. "The goal now is to move forward to minimize the duration and impact of these three temporary train cancellations and long-term, to increase service for our commuters."

Before the meeting MNR had already agreed to implement Rockland County's request to cross-honor PVL tickets on the Port Jervis Line, the Haverstraw/Ossining ferries, East of Hudson Lines and in coordination with Rockland for the TAPPAN ZEExpress bus service. MNR also agreed to reinvest their cost savings from the canceled PVL trains into improvements at the Nanuet Station (including repainting of station canopy, installation of new bird netting, repair of ADA access ramp, replacement of passenger shelter, repair of entrance road and surface cracks to MNR parking facility).

Rockland County and MNR also requested that NJT accelerate the restoration of the three cancelled PVL trains and NJT agreed to continue monitoring ridership on adjacent trains to those that were suspended and adjusting the number of cars as possible and appropriate. Effective June 11, NJT added a car to train 1616 (the one remaining morning express train) to alleviate overcrowding (now 5 cars) and effective June 20, NJT added a second car to train 1616 (now 6 cars). MNR has also agreed to direct NJT to dedicate an additional MNR-owned train set to the PVL's "Metro-North Express" trains.

"We in government have heard, loud and clear, the concerns of our commuters and are using every tool and resource available to improve service," said Day. "After Positive Train Control improvements are completed, we will continue working with Metro-North and NJT to push for increased service for Rockland's commuters."

Rockland County also requested a three-year fare freeze for Rockland County's West of Hudson commuters (to include exemption from MNR's planned increases in 2019 and 2021) from both NJT and MNR/MTA.

All involved are focused on working to close Rockland County's $40 million annual value gap. MNR also agreed to consider replacement of the most problematic locomotives in its next capital plan to enhance reliability and to direct NJT to dedicate the new MNR equipment to the PVL's "Metro-North Express" trains.

Long term NJT and MNR agreed to consider the feasibility of constructing the previously-discussed passing sidings in the NJ portion of the PVL. Should NJT proceed with plans for constructing the additional passing sidings, Metro-North would then consider providing funding for NJT to study and build passing sidings for the Pascack Valley Line.

"This meeting brought into focus that we are all dedicated to improving the service and resiliency of mass transit within Rockland County. These initiatives will serve as a blueprint for actions to significantly improve services to Rockland residents and commuters," concluded County Executive Day.

A letter signed by Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi and NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett is attached and includes the full list of short, medium and long-term Pascack Valley Line joint initiatives.

Letter from Metro-North & NJ Transit

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