Metro-North Railroad slates hearing on increased service proposal

MTA Metro-North Railroad on Aug. 23 will host a public hearing on a proposal to permanently increase service at two Harlem Line stations in the Bronx, New York.

The plan would make permanent a pilot program from October 2016. In an effort to build ridership and provide Bronx residents with more travel options, Metro-North previously implemented a program that provided hourly service at the Tremont and Melrose stations during off-peak and weekend travel times. The stations previously were served at two-hour intervals.

In addition to the increased frequency, the service day would be extended, with earlier inbound service on weekdays. The railroad also plans to provide "significantly later" outbound service on both weekdays and weekends, Metro-North officials said in a press release.

The hearing will held at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's headquarters in Lower Manhattan.