Had a look at the new Harlem line schedules, and I've noticed that nearly all lower Harlem line trains in the off-peak are making every stop in the Bronx. Even Melrose and Tremont are now getting trains every half an hour. Do those stations warrant that level of service? I can remember not too long ago those stations getting a train every 2 hours, with the other Bronx local stops (not Fordham) getting trains every hour. That's definitely going to increase running times, leading to much disappointment among lower Westchester train riders!
Recent service increases at Melrose and Tremont stations resulted in significant increases in ridership. As we saw in Westchester, residents flock to the railroad with the introduction of half-hourly service. It is a huge attraction. There’s no reason why residents of the South Bronx shouldn’t enjoy a similar benefit of having the railroad in their communities, especially considering that those areas aren’t exactly convenient to subway service.
As to lengthened running times...well, nothing is perfect, and frankly “you’re making my trip x minutes longer!” is hardly a valid reason to deny good service to an underserved community. Never mind the potential Title VI implications of disparate service levels.
And anything that helps fill empty seats...increasing revenue with little or no increase in costs...is a good thing.
Jim