From coast to coast, COVID is disrupting train service in the United States. Crew shortages caused the Southern California regional passenger rail system, Metrolink, to cancel scheduled early-morning trains departing from a New Year’s Eve event in San Bernardino.
MTA suspended four of the lines that service the five boroughs. This suspension included the W line. Metropolitan Transportation Authority suspended three New York City subway lines last week. The suspensions are all due to understaffing. In spite of this situation, all stations remain open, according to MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan.
Even in the flyover states like Ohio, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has experienced increased COVID-19 cases among employees. A Reuter’s report said staff shortages forced a reduction in the frequency of trains on its rapid lines last week. Instead of the normal frequency of trains every 15 to 30 minutes, the frequency has been bumped to 45 minutes to an hour, according to RTA spokesperson Linda Krecic.