METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Metro-North, LIRR Experience Record On-Time Performance

Metro-North was able to achieve the record on-time performance while still maintaining its aggressive infrastructure program, with crews working to complete a major switch replacement project on Grand Central Terminal’s upper level.

Metro-North, LIRR Experience Record On-Time Performance

The record month for Metro-North featured two days in which 100% of trains operated on time.

Photo: MTA/Patrick Cashin

2 min to read


Metro-North Railroad had the best month in its history on its East of Hudson service with a nearly perfect on-time performance of 99.3% on Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven Lines.

Metro-North was able to achieve the record on-time performance while still maintaining its aggressive infrastructure program, with crews working to complete a major switch replacement project on Grand Central Terminal’s upper level.

Ad Loading...

In addition to the infrastructure work, the railroad navigated two major snow events. Combined with January’s 98.5% on-time performance on East of Hudson service, the first two months of 2024 are a record for Metro-North trains operating on time.

“New York leads the nation in public transportation, and our commuter rail network is moving New Yorkers at a record pace,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Mass transit is the most reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible way to travel, and we will continue our significant investments in commuter rail to make it even better.”

LIRR's February 2024 record includes 6,400 more monthly trains, as the railroad added a historic 271 trains per day to its schedule to accompany the opening of Grand Central Madison last year.

Photo: LIRR

Record Success at LIRR

The LIRR’s 96.3% on-time performance was the best mark the railroad has posted for the month of February since 2012.

The February 2024 record includes 6,400 more monthly trains, as the railroad added a historic 271 trains per day to its schedule to accompany the opening of Grand Central Madison last year.

“Last February we completely rebuilt the schedule, adding a historic level of trains for the opening of Grand Central Madison. One year later, we post record our best February in 12 years,” said Rob Free, acting LIRR president. “So much work goes unnoticed every day to make sure the hundreds of daily trains run on time. It is further proof that the best way to travel on Long Island is the LIRR.”

Ad Loading...

Metro-North Success

The record month for Metro-North featured two days in which 100% of trains operated on time.

The railroad’s West of Hudson Pascack Valley Line also reported strong on-time performance for February with 97.2% of trains operating on time. These performance trends have continued March, with Metro-North trains operating 100% on time on March 9 and 10.

More Rail

A photo of rail tracks in Ottawa, Canada

Building a National Framework for Transit Safety and Consistency

On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.

Read More →
Stairs in a New York rail station with text reading "USDOT Invests $686 Million to Modernize Aging Rail Stations."
Railby StaffMarch 2, 2026

FTA Invests $686M to Modernize Aging Rail Stations

Competitive FTA grants will support accessibility upgrades, family-friendly improvements, and cost-efficient capital projects at some of the nation’s oldest and busiest transit hubs.

Read More →
A purple MBTA train at a Mansfield Station platform.
Railby StaffFebruary 27, 2026

MBTA Updates Rail Modernization Plan to Expand Reliability and Accessibility

The strategy outlines near- and long-term upgrades to ease congestion, support housing growth, and advance statewide climate goals.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
LA Metro underground station with vehicle
Railby StaffFebruary 27, 2026

LA Metro Sets D Line Subway Extension Launch Date

The 3.92-mile addition will soon take riders west beyond its current Wilshire and Western station in Koreatown, continuing under Wilshire Boulevard through neighborhoods and communities including Hancock Park, Windsor Square, the Fairfax District, and Carthay Circle into Beverly Hills.

Read More →
MBTA railcars
Railby StaffFebruary 26, 2026

Boston's MBTA Marks Progress in Regional Rail Modernization

The procurement advances the agency's broader efforts to modernize its rail fleet and position Regional Rail for long-term improvement.

Read More →
An Amtrak Acela
Railby StaffFebruary 26, 2026

Amtrak Sets New Course for Long-Distance Fleet Renewal

Under the plan, all long-distance routes will transition to a universal single-level fleet, replacing today’s mix of bi-level and single-level equipment.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A TriMet MAX Light Rail vehicle overhead shot
Railby StaffFebruary 24, 2026

STV Finalizes Design for First Phase of TriMet MAX Blue Line Substation Upgrades

The milestone is a significant step toward modernizing the MAX Blue Line’s power infrastructure, one of the oldest components of the region’s light rail system.

Read More →
HDR rendering of LA to Coachella Valley Rail Project
Railby StaffFebruary 20, 2026

HDR Selected to Advance LA–Coachella Valley Rail Corridor Project

The firm will lead the Tier 2 environmental review program for the Coachella Valley Rail Corridor, including the conceptual and preliminary engineering needed to develop project-level environmental clearance.

Read More →
Rendering of Austin Transit Partnership's light rail line.
Railby StaffFebruary 19, 2026

Contractor Chosen to Help Build Austin Light Rail

The ATP board’s approval of ARC enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities and advance final design for Austin Light Rail under the first phase of what will be a multibillion-dollar contract.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
The Gold Line Logo
Railby StaffFebruary 18, 2026

LA Metro A Line Claremont Extension Study Projects $1.1B in Economic Output

Additionally, construction activity is estimated to generate more than $154 million in tax revenue, including more than $20 million for Los Angeles County.

Read More →