New York City’s Metro-North Railroad’s fake minute

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Commuter Trains Leave Late on Purpose

Get this: Every commuter train in New York City – about 900 per day – leaves 1 minute later than scheduled, according to The New York Times. If the timetable reads 9:29, the train comes at 9:30. And if it reads 11:15, it comes at 11:16.

But the trains don’t run 60 seconds late because the operators are out to get you. It’s because they want to help.

The fake minute, which has existed for decades and is only published in timetables for employees, is more or less a grace period for the harried who need the extra 60 seconds to get off the platform and onto the train. But if they knew they had the additional time, that extra “secret” minute wouldn’t serve its purpose.

“If everyone knows they get an extra minute, they’re going to lollygag,” Marjorie Anders, a spokeswoman for the Metro-North Railroad, told the Times. “Don’t blow our cover!” (Surprise! Commuter Trains Leave Late on Purpose!, NBCNewYork.com).

But It’s Only a Courtesy

Don’t take the “courtesy minute” for granted, however. At Grand Central, conductors have the option to leave at the time posted on public timetables, as long as the platform is empty and they don’t see anyone racing to catch the train, reports the Times.