by Traingeek3629
Wanted to create an actual thread for general observations, rambles, and complaints on Metro-North loads and on-time performance, made possible by https://radar.mta.info/loading.
As it stands, the busiest part of the evening rush is the 4 to 5 PM departures, especially on the New Haven line, which has multiple large commuter hubs along it. MNR has resumed running ten-car sets on the line, but only appears to have two of them. One is on 1373 and will likely turn around on 1270. The other ran on 1538 and is currently sitting in New Haven. It ran with about 500 passengers - a good load, but one that's fine with an 8 car set. Meanwhile, 1542 ran at over 100% full (somewhat due to the Yankee game that ended at 3:15) with a large contingent getting on at Stamford. 1546 has 690 passengers on an 8 car set. From an operational perspective, those ten car sets need to be used on the most jam-packed early rush runs - something MNR and the LIRR simply do not seem to do.
Also, train #4839 is not on the schedule, but ran the full GCT-Poughkeepsie, with a good load getting on at both Yankee and Grand Central. Not sure if it's a Yankee special (usually those have a 7XXX number).
I'm on 3542 and it's the busiest I've ever seen it, with each passing week seeing more and more customers. Most seats are filled.
Side note, MNR recorded their busiest day since the start of the pandemic yesterday - 205,000 passengers. Today is probably even more crowded - both radar and personal observation indicate crowds just as bad as pre-Covid. The main difference is that while the 4 to 5 pm hour is bad, trains after 6 PM go out 20% full.
As it stands, the busiest part of the evening rush is the 4 to 5 PM departures, especially on the New Haven line, which has multiple large commuter hubs along it. MNR has resumed running ten-car sets on the line, but only appears to have two of them. One is on 1373 and will likely turn around on 1270. The other ran on 1538 and is currently sitting in New Haven. It ran with about 500 passengers - a good load, but one that's fine with an 8 car set. Meanwhile, 1542 ran at over 100% full (somewhat due to the Yankee game that ended at 3:15) with a large contingent getting on at Stamford. 1546 has 690 passengers on an 8 car set. From an operational perspective, those ten car sets need to be used on the most jam-packed early rush runs - something MNR and the LIRR simply do not seem to do.
Also, train #4839 is not on the schedule, but ran the full GCT-Poughkeepsie, with a good load getting on at both Yankee and Grand Central. Not sure if it's a Yankee special (usually those have a 7XXX number).
I'm on 3542 and it's the busiest I've ever seen it, with each passing week seeing more and more customers. Most seats are filled.
Side note, MNR recorded their busiest day since the start of the pandemic yesterday - 205,000 passengers. Today is probably even more crowded - both radar and personal observation indicate crowds just as bad as pre-Covid. The main difference is that while the 4 to 5 pm hour is bad, trains after 6 PM go out 20% full.
TRAIN(geek) APPROACHING, PLEASE REMAIN BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE