For several days now I have attempted to catch my usual Metro-North train at 6.18am from Harlem-Valley Wingdale only to find that it was replaced by a connecting bus service. The bus service, which then takes us to meet a train in Southeast, takes about twice as long to make the journey, which means that the 6.18 passengers end up on the 6.48 train. Not only does this make me ½ hour late for work, but it also means I am spending the morning on twice as cramped a train.
This morning, after reassurance from MTA staff that the 6.48am train still runs from Harlem-Valley Wingdale as usual, I decided to forgo the 6.18 and simply get on the next train from the start. Only to find that this too had been replaced by a connecting bus service. This bus, however, did not show up until 7.00am. So now, instead of getting into Grand Central Terminal at 8.03 and making it to work on time, I made it to work at 9.40am more than 1 hour late. Again, on a super cramped train.
The MTA raised my monthly card from $395 to $443 last month and simultaneously cut our service without giving us any type of advance notice. The bus service would be fine if it was on time and met the normal train schedule. But it does not. Further, there are no announcements made at the station. There is an electric sign that sporadically puts up a message about the connecting bus service before reverting back to today’s date. For future reference, as nice as it is to know what day it is, I’d rather know that my train isn’t showing up…
This is on top of the facts that our trains show up later and later at the stations, both incoming and outbound trains at Grand Central Terminal. They show up with less cars, forcing us to cram further into an already cramped space. This is completely unacceptable.
When I am late for work, I have to stay late. I have a commute that takes me over 2 hours on a good day and a family at home that would like to see me for dinner once in a while. Not only is this not possible due to your incompetent service, but it seems like I will have to start waking up at 4am in lieu of 5am just to possibly make it to work on time.
I would like to know how the MTA plans to compensate its passengers for this appalling level of service of late? Your price tag is much too high to allow for the pathetic and unacceptable service provided.
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