Flood update: MTA Metro-North replaces trains with buses

MTA Metro-North Railroad announced yesterday it replaced train service affected by severe flooding with bus service in the Hudson Valley, New York.

Buses replaced trains on the Hudson Line between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie stations for essential riders, making stops at Cortlandt and Beacon along the way, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said in a press release. Buses also replaced trains on the Upper Harlem Line north of Southeast Station following the suspension of service due to obstructions on the tracks.

On Monday night, parts of the state received a month's worth of rain in a few hours, said Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi.

"Crews continue to work around the clock, and to limit the impact on customers we were able to secure limited bus service to Poughkeepsie and Wassaic," Rinaldi said.

The crews have begun evaluating damage and clearing tracks of fallen trees, mud, boulders and water in places where it has risen above running rails. Some areas continue to be inspected for potential washout conditions, MTA officials said. A washout was confirmed on the right of way south of Dover in Dutchess County.

Hudson Line service was suspended July 9 due to severe storms in northern Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties north of Croton-Harmon, where the tracks became impassable due to damage.

Meanwhile, MTA launched the new MTA Service Alerts system for rider use. The system was developed to provide riders with timely, personalized updates on service impacting train, subway and bus commutes including delays, reroutes and cancelations.

The system provides riders with control over when and how to receive service updates, MTA officials said in a press release. They can choose the day and time to receive alerts, which are managed through a new subscription center that includes MTA newsletters.