Metro North Commuter RR

I’m giving this 4 stars out of mere necessity.
I worked at a retreat center in the Northwestern Connecticut town of Falls Village, past Sharon, and as far as public transportation went, this was really the only reliable option (the Bonanza Bus to Canaan only went twice a day from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and usually tickets went for $ 42, considerably higher than the $ 17.75 for a ticket from Grand Central to Wassaic). The trains going past Southeast are diesel, short trains in the off peak hour, and because there’s only one track, expect infrequent service. Most times, a transfer was necessary at Southeast to an electrified, modern train, although during rush hours, the diesel trains go direct from Wassaic to NYC, thus avoiding the need for a transfer.
This station seems to fill a crucial need, as a hub for transit to those visiting the Western Massachusetts Berkshires, the Northwestern Connecticut region (including the charmingly historic towns of Kent, Sharon, and Canaan), and one can often see people headed to the Isabella Freedman camp, the World Peace center in Amenia, Lenox, Lee, Pittsfield, and even Simon’s Rock (Bard College). One can see many unique travelers coming from all over the world to the various cultural, artistic, spiritual, and educational institutions the region has to offer. Perhaps one day I shall again tread these roads, in circumstances not related to work.

I’m going to assume this is for the Wassaic Station on the Harlem line. As someone who commutes from here everyday, Monday thru Friday, my #1 complaint is «weekenders» and Friday evenings. They are rude. They don’t care. They just want out of the station first only to drive annoyingly slow in front of you. They block rows, parking 2-​up. Even though you’ve been waiting to get out, they will try to cut in front of you & get angry when you do not let them. HORRIBLE. Also, the parking company does a crap job of plowing in the winter & sanding the ice. I’ve slid on my bum. Almost ready to start parking at Tenmile River so I don’t have to deal with douchey, entitled weekenders.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been using this train station since I was a precocious little 13 year old girl, standing in the heated vestibule with my cousin Monica, awaiting that big train to take us down to the city to my aunt’s apartment. We were so cool, because we could travel all by ourselves. Oh yeah. THAT’S right. We didn’t need parents to travel with us. We were wise and mature beyond our years… as we’d secretly make fun of people on the platform whilst singing annoying late 90s dance music and boy band lyrics.
*ahem*
Times, how they have a’changed. Now I actually use this station as a portal to go back to Connecticut to visit my parents, dressed in my NYC Chic apparel, hoping not to awkwardly run into anyone I went to high school with.
The station is clean and brightly-​lit, shining like a beacon after sundown along Route 22, with two ticket vending machines (honestly, a third or fourth would be superb), the aforementioned heated vestibule for those cold waits for the train, and ample parking. Thank goodness for this station. It only used to go to Dover Plains, but adding that extra few miles of track northbound really makes a difference for those living in or traveling from extreme Northwestern Connecticut. It saves us 15 minutes of travel time, easily.

I loved riding the train into the city. Boarding was a breeze and the station was nice. The electronic ticket dispensers are really easy to use too. On the train it was funny to see them punch our tickets, it was so old-​school. The conductor was very friendly and the train was quite clean.
Overall a good experience. My only disappointment was on the ride home, some kids snuck on the train and sat in a couple open seats where tickets had already been punched. They only rode for a couple of stops, but it was still quite dishonest. I feel like there should be a protocol for riders to take their tickets as they leave to keep this from being able to occur.