Wednesday’s power failure on the tracks is just the latest issue in a troubled 2013 timeline for Metro-North.
On May 17, there was a rush hour train crash between Bridgeport and Fairfield, injuring passengers and disrupting rail service for days.
Only 11 days later, in West Haven, a track worker was stuck and killed by a rail car. In the wake of the two tragedies on the New Haven Line, some of Connecticut’s most high profile politicians called for increased investments to keep the rails running safely.
“This call to action is really for all of us, for the whole country to be aware and take note that our infrastructure is deteriorating,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said.
“The tracks are not up to the state that we want them,” Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch said.
Just this week, the National Transportation and Safety Board announced investigative hearings will be held in October to examine the Metro-North accidents this year.
The latest trouble on the tracks is less about safety and more about convenience. With tens of thousands of Connecticut workers relying on the New Haven Line each day, another reminder that when it comes to riding the rails, you may need a Plan B or even a Plan C.