An advocate said Metro-North did a "great job."
Metro-North received something this week that it's not used to: praise. The commuter rail line was commended by transportation advocates for its handling of this week's snow storm and getting passengers to their destination before the storm hit.
Rail advocate James Cameron told Hearst Connecticut Media that Metro-North did a "great job." The commuter rail system added getaway trains on Monday to handle the rush of commuters trying to get home before the storm hit and Metro-North shut down.
Service was back to normal Wednesday morning for Metro-North.
Congrats also to the Towns for plowing parking lots so quickly to get commuters back on trains this morning. #GivingCreditWhereItsDue
— CT Rail Commuters (@CTRailCommuters) January 28, 2015
"This disturbing multiple car derailment delays and disrupts travel for countless riders."
Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Now, for the bad news.
There was a minor derailment of a Metro-North train at Grand Central Terminal Wednesday evening.
According to a spokeswoman, 750 to 800 passengers were able to get off the train because the rear cars were still on the platform. It caused 10 to 15 minute delays for commuters.
Senator Richard Blumenthal issued a statement on the derailment, which is being investigated by the Federal Railroad Administration. "Much more than a minor inconvenience, this disturbing multiple car derailment delays and disrupts travel for countless riders," said Blumenthal in a statement. "The derailment, fairly or not, recalls past incidents – renewing concerns about safety and reliability."
Metro-North has been heavily criticized in recent years for more serious derailments and reliability problems.
Information from the Associated Press included in this report.
