At Schumer's Urging, Metro-North Unveils Passengers Bill of Rights - Pledge Will Ensure Passengers Aren't Stranded on Trains for Hours on End, Includes Plants to Improve Service Throughout Metro-North

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Metro-North has, at his urging, developed a passengers' bill of rights to improve service and ensure that passengers are well cared for during service disruptions. Metro-North's pledge to passengers includes providing a safe and reliable ride, accurate and timely information when it comes to delays, courteous employees and a clean environment in cars and stations. The pledge contains specific provisions that Schumer called for, including alternate transportation in the event that trains become stuck on tracks, providing water while passengers wait to be taken off of stranded cars, and more timely and accurate notification of weather emergencies. The agency also pledged to provide passengers with up to date information regarding service restoration in the event of disruptions. Last Fall, Senator Schumer also worked with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to establish a LIRR passenger's bill of rights after a lightning strike forced a temporary shutdown of the railroad's signal and switching system, which created a major havoc for commuters.

"Metro-North passengers deserve these protections, and should never be stuck on stranded cars for hours on end with no place to go," said Schumer. "This bill of rights will ensure that Metro-North goes to every length to provide passengers with the ride and service that they deserve, and that passengers are kept abreast of all service disruptions so that they can plan accordingly. I thank MTA for developing this plan, and look forward to working with Metro-North to ensure that they live up to the pledge, and that riders continue to be Metro-North's top priority."

David Buchwald, Chairman of the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council, said, "The Pledge gives the public, the press and government officials the opportunity to hold the railroad accountable when it fails to meet its now clearly stated standards. The Council is proud to have pushed this initiative and commends Senator Schumer for his leadership on improving Metro-North service."

During the October storm that prompted Schumer's call, dozens of passengers were stuck on Metro-North Rail Road cars near the Southeast station for upwards of 11 hours, without food or water for the first eight hours. Finally, at 3 a.m., 50 passengers were taken to the Brewster fire station. The individuals were stuck on the trains because the snow made roads dangerous for travel and prevented friends and families from picking up stranded passengers. Metro-North did not provide any busses or other methods of transportation to help individuals off the train, and some chose to walk for half a mile in the snow attempting to find shelter, only to find that many local motels were already full. The train had already been delayed for two hours when it became apparent that it would not be moving forward, and the snow storm became significantly worse during that time, which led to passengers being stuck on the train.

Schumer noted that this is not the first time passengers have become stuck on trains. During the same storm, a train was also stuck in Bedford Hills. Passengers on this train ended up in a shelter in Bedford after their train got stuck. Bedford police assisted the MTA with evacuating a train stuck in the Bedford Hills station at 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Passengers were escorted to Bedford Hills Community House, which was set up as an emergency shelter at 74 Main St. This past summer, over 200 passengers were stuck in Manhattan for nearly an hour in over 100-degree heat because a lightning strike disabled Long Island Rail Road's signal systems. In response to these incidents, Schumer called for a passenger's bill of rights, to include protections to ensure that passengers are evacuated quickly from disabled trains, and that they are in a safe environment during the brief time leading up to the evacuation. Schumer applauded today's pledge, which delivers those assurances to Metro-North passengers.

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