Lawmakers announce upgrade to Metro-North Port Jervis line to make travel more efficient, faster
Officials announced that the Metro-North Port Jervis line is getting a $100 million upgrade.
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State and local officials were at the Harriman train station Wednesday to announce funding for an upgrade to a Hudson Valley Metro-North line while touting its campaign to freeze fare increases for commuters west of the Hudson River.
Officials announced that the Port Jervis line is getting a $100 million upgrade. The upgrade includes two rail passings in Tuxedo and Middletown to allow trains going opposite directions to pass each other. It would make trips faster and more frequent.
"We'll be able to sync the schedules so that concurrently we can have two-way travel at the same time, which will dramatically increase the capacity of our train scheduling," says Sen. James Skoufis.
Commuters say the freeze on fare increases as well as the upgrade will help but point out that there is still no direct, one-seat ride into New York City from parts of the Hudson Valley. They say commuters still have to transfer in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Lawmakers say there are plans to build a bypass loop at the Secaucus station to allow a one-seat suburb to city commute. They say it will be a game changer.
The rail passings are part of the MTA's new five-year capital plan. They are expected to be completed in another three years.
