Metro-North Railroad says it will start an amended Saturday schedule for the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven Lines on Friday, March 27 until further notice. 

It says the amended schedule will provide all-day service for health care workers, first responders and essential employees who are on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak from early in the morning until after midnight.

The schedule will have additional trains in the morning and afternoon peak periods, and hourly service during off-peak midday and evening periods. During this special schedule, off-peak fares will be in effect.

Metro-North says the reduction in service follows a significant drop in ridership in response to federal, state and local health precautionary directives against COVID-19.

The measure is also being taken to protect the health and safety of customers and employees.

In addition, the following phased-in schedule changes will take place:

 On Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29, Metro-North will run a regular weekend schedule, except there will be no train or bus service between Wassaic and Southeast.

Starting April 4, on weekends until further notice, Metro-North will run an hourly service on every line. The previously publicized March 29 schedule change will not go into effect until further notice.

All ticket offices are temporarily closed for coronavirus precautions. Customers can use cash, credit, debit and contactless cards at Ticket Vending Machines to make their ticket purchases. Customers can also download MTA eTix, the electronic ticketing app that works directly from their smartphone.

 GET INFORMATION: Coronavirus details from the CDC

 PHOTOS: The impact of coronavirus around the world