The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will provide a credit to New Haven line commuters with monthly or weekly tickets who have been effected by the ongoing service disruption caused by a power outage.
“Because of the unprecedented magnitude and duration of this disruption, the MTA Board has concluded that a credit for our customers is simply the right thing to do,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast said in a statement announcing the decision.
Customers with monthly or weekly tickets valid for travel since the Sept. 25 disruption began will be issued a credit toward future rail travel, according to an agreement approved Tuesday by the MTA board. The rail provider has yet to determine how the credit will be implemented.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy — who wanted Con Edison to pay for the refunds — applauded the MTA’s decision, calling it a good “first step” but said he intends to watch the details closely.
“While I look forward to reviewing and providing input on their plan, today’s news is certainly a step in the right direction,” the governor said. “As I expressed earlier today in a letter to the board, Con Ed should underwrite the refunds, even as they are administered by [MetroNorth] and MTA. Con Ed should also be responsible for any and all additional costs related to the interim service plan and the ultimate restoration of service.
“Connecticut commuters should never have been put in this situation in the first place, but the unprecedented action taken by the board today is the first step in making things right,” Malloy added.
The New Haven line has been hobbled by delays since a Con Ed feeder cable in Mount Vernon, N.Y. failed on Sept. 25.
Also on Tuesday, the MTA board announced that it will add more trains during peak commuting hours in the morning and afternoon, after Con Ed installs a temporary transformer.
There will be five additional peak trains beginning Wednesday morning; two new express trains from New Haven, departing at 5:59 a.m. and 6:45 a.m., and three new departures fromStamford, at 7:11 a.m., 7:40 a.m. and 8:13 a.m. In addition, the 8:03 a.m. train from New Canaan to Stamford will now operate through to Grand Central Terminal.
In the afternoon, there will be three additional express trains to New Haven, leaving Grand Central at 4:58 p.m., 5:21 p.m. and 5:49 p.m.
Video by Ayana Harry, Fox CT; Story by Daniela Altimari, Hartford Courant