MILFORD — Metro-North commuters will be able to wait for their morning trains to New York in the warmth of the rail station after all, the New Haven Register reported.
Railroad officials announced Tuesday they have reversed a very unpopular decision implemented the day before that required about 1,500 city commuters to swap tracks, which left them out in the cold.
On Monday it was revealed that for 330 days commuters heading to both New York City and New Haven would have to board the train on the eastbound/northbound side of the tracks from 5 a.m. until 8:22 a.m. because of work on the train’s electrical wires.
That decision meant commuters going to New York effectively would not be able to take advantage of the shelter and warmth of a recently renovated $1 million train station building, which is located on the westbound/southbound side of the tracks, about a four-minute walk from the other side.
Metro-North spokesman Daniel Brucker said starting today New York bound commuters will be able to use “bridge plates” to get to their trains on the westbound/southbound side of the tracks.
Brucker said the reason for changing the policy after just two days was simple: “We understand our customers are unhappy, and with the winter weather upcoming, they can’t be left out in the cold.”
Brucker said bridge plates are 2 feet wide, made of aluminum and extend across the platform onto the tracks. The plates also contain a handrail for safety.
Railroad officials have reservations about whether the plates will be safe for commuters, especially during inclement weather, he said. A train has to pull in very slowly and align its doors perfectly with the bridge plates, which could cause delays, Brucker said. The plates will be closely monitored, he said.
The decision to allow New York commuters to again catch the trains from the westbound/southbound side of the tracks pleased Alderman Andrew Testo, D-4, who operates The Coffee Room II in the train station. “Oh my God. I can’t believe it,”Testo said of Metro-North’s reversal.
“I’m happy for Milford, and I’m very thankful Metro-North reconsidered,” Testo said. “It’s a victory for the commuters, and it makes my life much easier.”
Testo said his business had significantly dropped off since Monday and that many commuters were running to their trains because of the change.
Earlier Tuesday, Mayor James Richetelli Jr. had penned a scathing letter to Metro-North President Peter A. Cannito demanding the railroad “immediately reverse” its decision or it “will adversely affect the health and safety of many people in Milford and in surrounding communities.”
Richetelli said later that he’s “delighted” railroad officials realized their initial decision was a “bad” one.
“It’s a good change for the benefit of the commuting public,” Richetelli said.
Before the reversal was announced Tuesday, state Sen. Win Smith, R-Milford, had scheduled a meeting on the issue for 8 a.m. Thursday in Richetelli’s office. Other city legislators, Milford Transit Director Henry Jadach, a state Department of Transportation representative and a Metro-North representative were scheduled to attend, Smith said.
Richetelli said he’s uncertain whether the meeting will still occur.
The entire High Street train station project includes replacing the station’s electrical wires, making it accessible to people with disabilities, installing new lights and canopies on both sides of the track, and extending the eastbound/northbound platform by 600 feet, along with new curbs and sidewalks. The entire project is slated to cost $38 million and be completed sometime next year.