Metro-North Adds Trains, Masks, Sanitizer For Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — With the Hudson region entering phase 2 of post-pandemic economic reopening, and New York City starting phase 1, Metro-North is ready for a resurgence of riders.

The commuter railroad is taking unprecedented measures to keep its trains clean and its riders safe, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at his news briefing Tuesday, which he held in Westchester County. Stations are being disinfected every 12 hours and train cars every 24 hours.

"The cars are cleaner than they've ever been," Cuomo said.

The state is delivering 500,000 cloth masks, as well as 10,000 gallons and 100,000 2-oz. bottles of hand sanitizer to Metro-North, he said. Hand sanitizer and masks will be given out through Friday to customers at some stations located in the Bronx on the Hudson and Harlem lines, MTA officials said.

Starting Thursday, ticket offices will reopen with limited hours from Monday to Friday only, at Grand Central Terminal (6 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.) and White Plains (6 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.).

Cuomo reminded everyone that masks are mandatory when riding public transportation systems and that New Yorkers should follow all guidelines and protocols when riding, including maintaining social distancing to the extent possible, using hand sanitizer and observing decal guidance.

MTA officials reported Sunday that 92 percent of subway riders were complying with the requirement that all customers and employees wear a face covering on public transit.

Metro-North added 18 trains to the schedule May 27 in anticipation of increased demand as the new coronavirus outbreak subsided and reopening began. As of June 9:

Hudson Line Inbound:

• New train departs Croton-Harmon at 5:21 a.m., all stops to Yonkers, express to Harlem/125th Street, arrives GCT at 6:29 a.m.
• New train departs Poughkeepsie at 4:57 a.m., all stops to Croton-Harmon, then Ossining, Tarrytown and express to Harlem/125th Street, arrives GCT at 6:50 a.m.

Hudson Line Outbound:

• New train departs GCT at 3:14 p.m., stops at Harlem-125th St, express to Tarrytown, Ossining, Croton-Harmon and all stops to Poughkeepsie, arrives at 5:11 p.m.

Remember, customers and employees must wear face masks or coverings while on Metro-North property, including in stations, on trains and at Grand Central Terminal, unless it is not medically feasible to do so.

Floor decals indicating safe social distancing have been placed In Grand Central Terminal and select stations, at the Information Booth, in the Station Master’s Office, at any open ticket window, at Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), and at restroom entries. Please follow the recommended social distancing guidelines.

Changes in how you can purchase tickets continue to be effect at Metro-North until further notice to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Customers should use MTA eTix to purchase their tickets whenever possible to reduce contact.
• No cash will be accepted on board trains and at ticket windows, but credit/debit cards will be accepted to purchase tickets;
• Cash, credit/debit cards are accepted at all TVMs, and at STVMs, Apple Pay ® is accepted as well.

At Grand Central Terminal, customers can expect the following additional changes:

• The North Entrance to the Terminal is closed until further notice.
• The Lower Level of GCT will reopen for retail shops doing take-out business only (no sit-down food consumption will be allowed during this time.)
• Men’s and Women’s restrooms are temporarily located at the Station Master’s Office, and the south side rest rooms will be reopened on the Lower Level.
• The Vanderbilt Hall entrance continues to be closed until further notice.
• All escalators to 44th Street/MetLife building will reopen.