After years of advocacy by local Bronx residents, and myself included, attending dozens of meetings to advocate for increased Metro North rail service at Melrose and Tremont Stations in The Bronx, the MTA has approved a major increase in service at these stations thanks to a successful year-long pilot program.
Last October, the MTA increased service at these stations to hourly up from every two hours along with an increase in the service day for the pilot.
During this time, ridership at both stations increased by a whopping total of 81% (67% increase for weekday ridership and 101% increase in weekend ridership).
Back in August, a public hearing was held to discuss the pilot and finally, thanks to the success of the pilot program, service is now permanently increased at these stations.
These increases are critical because The Bronx has the highest percentage of residents who reverse commute than any other county in the nation as more Bronxites head north into Westchester and Connecticut for employment.
Between 1990 and 2012 there was an increase of 150% of reverse commuters and in 2011 of 8.1 million rides taking to and from The Bronx, two-thirds were Bronxites heading away from the city and heading north.
According to the MTA the permanent service will be as follows:
Details of increased service at Melrose and Tremont stations are below:
- Weekday inbound service is now available from 5:51 a.m. to 12:47 a.m.
- Weekday outbound service is now available from 5:38 a.m. to 1:20 a.m.
- Weekend inbound service is now available from 6:44 a.m. to 12:44 a.m.
- Weekend outbound service is now available from 6:25 a.m. to 1:20 a.m.
Let us know what you think! This is a perfect example of community residents and activists banding together for the community.
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