Power failure on Metro-North's New Haven Line could take weeks to repair

A loss of power on MTA Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line that began Wednesday morning could last several days or longer, according to railroad, utility and government officials.

Metro-North is offering limited train and bus service on the line during peak service times today until further notice due to the loss of a Con Edison feeder that supplies traction power to the line's electric fleet, railroad officials said in a statement posted on Metro-North's website.

The service plan can accommodate about 33 percent of the line's regular ridership, they said. Riders were encouraged to stay home or seek alternative transportation.

The feeder cable in Mount Vernon, N.Y., failed yesterday morning.

"Con Edison is working with Metro-North to try to establish alternative power sources to serve the New Haven Line," utility officials said in a prepared statement, adding that "repairs of this nature typically take two to three weeks."

"People need to now assume this is a long-term problem," Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a New York Times report.