Metro-North Alternatives: Possible Options Until Normal Service Resumes

The MTA says it could be Friday before trains start moving on weekday schedules again

Commuters who normally rely on the Metro-North railroad are expected to have a long slog to the end of the workweek after a fire underneath an elevated section of track forced MTA workers to make emergency repairs and curtail service. 

The MTA was able to get trains running again Wednesday on a modified Saturday schedules, but riders on all of the rail system's lines reported extremely long commutes and multiple delays.

Even an NBC 4 New York crew felt the pain, taking 1 hour and 19 minutes to make the normally zippy ride from Grand Central Terminal to the Harlem-125th Street Station.

But the headache won't end today: the MTA says it could be Friday before trains start moving on weekday schedules again, and trains that are running could face delays of 1 hour or more.

Here are some alternate options: 

Drive: If you have a car, driving into the five boroughs might be one of the easiest options. Just be ready for delays -- drivers in the suburbs to the north and New Jersey grappled with delays topping an hour Wednesday morning. It's not clear if the bottlenecks were caused by extra cars on the roads, but drivers should be ready for slow commutes.

Carpool: If you don't have a car, you can still hit the roads. The state's ride-sharing service, 511NYRideshare is encouraging commuters to carpool until the end of the week. Click here for more information.

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Work from home: The MTA urged commuters who could work from home to do so Tuesday night after the blaze, and it could be a good option until normal service is restored.

Take the subway: The MTA is encouraging Metro-North riders to take subway trains to connect to Metro-North stops in the Bronx during the evening rush Wednesday.

  • Hudson Line riders should take the 4, D or 1 train to 225 Street-Marble Hill to connect with the Yankees-East 153rd Street Metro-North station.
  • Harlem Line customers can take the 2 train to 241st Street and connect with their normal train at the Wakefield station. 
  • New Haven Line riders should take the 2 or 5 train to 233rd Street and connect with the Woodlawn station.

Take NJ Transit: Hudson line riders can take NJ Transit trains on its Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines. The railroad is cross-honoring Metro-North Hudson Line tickets.

Take Metro-North: If none of the alternatives are options, you can still take Metro-North from Grand Central Terminal. See the latest information from the MTA here.

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