More trains return to Metro-North

Metro-North is doubling its peak service capacity as New York city slowly works its way to the second phase of reopening in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Trains along the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines were boosted beginning Monday. That means 49 trains arrived at Grand Central Terminal during the morning peak, with 67 trains departing during the afternoon peak.

Overall, the current peak schedule of 54 trains was replaced with 116 trains.

For the Hudson Line — which begins at Grand Central, and passes through Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale before terminating in Poughkeepsie — will jump to 14 trains from eight during morning peak. Afternoon peak will grow from 10 trains to 19, with two additional reverse-peak trains.

Even with the increase in trains, Metro-North still will only run at about 41 percent capacity. The line will continue charging only off-peak fares, even during peak times.

A very happy (virtual) wedding

It’s not easy to get married these days when crowds are severely limited by the coronavirus pandemic. Yet last month, talk show host Tamron Hall helped one couple celebrate their special day by officiating their ceremony remotely.

The former MSNBC anchor featured Kelton Cumberbatch and Aisha Becker-Burrowes on her syndicated talk show on May 13, according to The Grio.

The couple hails from Harlem, but Cumberbatch is a physical education teacher at Ethical Culture Fieldston School.

“Love is so many things,” Hall told the couple, according to the website. “But what we know is love can never be defeated. Nothing that we are experiencing on this day, in this moment, in this time, will affect your very special bond. What you have together will only continue to thrive and grow in a beautiful way.”

Hall didn’t come empty-handed, however. Instead, she gave the couple an all-expenses paid honeymoon to Fiji.