HARRIMAN – State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) announced on Wednesday a $100 million plan to create passing sidings on the Port Jervis Metro-North rail line.
The West of Hudson Metro-North system is operated by NJTransit.
“We get 70-cents on the dollar that we put in. This value gap is not only unjustifiable but it’s infuriating.” said Skoufis. He cited the fact that during the day, there were waits as long as four hours between trains.
The current tracks are one way which leads to a huge gap in service. The plan would create a passing siding that would allow two trains to pass each other.
That would allow for a substantial increase in train service as there can be two trains going in opposite directions on the line at the same time.
Skoufis and other area state lawmakers, at a Harriman train station news conference, touched on was fighting successfully to be carved out of the latest two fare increases and fighting the MTA payroll tax.
The recent fare hikes exempted West of Hudson travelers.
“We pay the same payroll tax as a business in New York City for the MTA yet they have access to the subway,” said Skoufis. “There are differences in services there should be a difference in taxation.”
Assemblyman Chris Eachus (D, New Windsor) also highlighted that more active rail service on the west side of the river would also help New York Stewart International Airport near Newburgh be more successful.
Realistically, according to Skoufis the passing siding will take about three years to complete. The rail beds are privately held by an entity other than the MTA so negotiations may be time consuming, he said.
