Minutes
January 16,
2002
1). Minutes of the December meeting were approved.
1) Chairman Chabot requested an update on the ridership of the SLE through trains. Bonnie Olier
reported that ridership has increased to an average of 179 daily, with approximately 50 passengers
going through to Stamford. Metro North reported that evening train (#3640) appears to be regularly on time.
Vice Chairman Cameron questioned the capacity of the PM train. CDOT reported that with the 3-car set the
capacity was approximately 300.
Scott Howland introduced Mr. Patrick Walsh to the council as the new SLE Facility Manager.
SLERA Member Schroeder questioned whether the TAM system (which warns of approaching
Trains) was working. SLE indicated that it was. Council Member Jelly indicated that it wasn’t.
Scott Howland indicated that he would review and advise the council.
Vice Chairman Cameron following up on the SLE train cuts discussed and reflected in the
December council meeting, question the need for the cut in service on the SLE. Mr. Harris
responded that CDOT is always looking at changes due to ridership, bus as well as train.
Council Member Marcuse questioned whether the changes were based on economies of scale and
if CDOT does a cost benefit analysis. Mr. Harris indicated that it had. Mr. Harris further added
that if warranted additional trains could be added during the day.
Chairman Chabot asked if a Norwalk stop was going to be added with the schedule. Ray Cox
indicated that based on the line traffic, the Norwalk stop could not be added.
Council Member Marcuse voiced his concern that the council was not advised of the SLE trains,
had no input in the decision and was not able to analyze the cost benefit of the decision to add the
service. In addition, he requested that the council be informed. Mr. Harris responded that the SLE
train was funded by the TSB. He further added that the TSB would monitor the program for two
years and abandon it if it doesn’t work.
Council Member Marcuse requested the council adopt the following motion;
So Moved;
“ CDOT is
hereby requested to notify the council in advance of any significant
changes in rail service, and the cost benefit of the changes.”
The motion was seconded and approved.
In response to the motion, Mr. Cox indicated he would forward advance notice to Vice
Chairman Cameron for dissemination to the council.
Mr. Harris reported that, the State Street Station is expected to be completed in April/May 2002.
Vice Chairman Chabot questioned if the canopy design had been changed to eliminate the gaps in
coverage. CDOT indicated that the canopy runs the entire length. Council Member Jelly
indicated that it did not. CDOT agreed to look into the issue.
Council Member Carlson requested an update on the Westbrook Station. Mr. Harris indicated that
CDOT is not moving forward with Westbrook at this time. The issue is the cost of land. Following
up Council Member Carlson asked if the current location had been considered. Mr. Cox responded
that it had not because it only has 60 parking spaces and the cost to acquire additional land is
prohibitive. Mr. Harris indicated that CDOT is proceeding with the other 4 stations.
2). Mr. Cox reported that busses were substituted on 5 occasions on the Waterbury Branch during
December. He further added that the substitutions required were equipment related.
Sgt. Finucane reported that Capt. McLaughlin has spoken with the Waterbury PD to increase
the active patrols at the Waterbury Station.
Council Members again reiterated their concern over the Waterbury Station vandalism.
3). Vice Chairman Cameron presented a letter from Mr. Jeff Boehme, to Mr. Peter Cannito, President
of Metro North. Mr. Boehme is a commuter on the Danbury line and was writing to complain
about a mechanical problem which caused passengers to be 40 min, late. He further advanced his concern
with the Danbury Line. Mr. Cox reported that there was a mechanical failure with one of the Genesis engines
and the train had to be towed back to the station.
Chairman Chabot presented a letter he received requesting the extension of service to New Milford. He further
added that Congressman Maloney had provided $2 million for a feasibility study to re-electrify the Danbury line.
In another letter, a commuter complained that the Danbury Station closed to early. Vice
Chairman Cameron indicated that the station hours are a City issue. Adding, that the council
should advise the commuter accordingly.
Mr. Cox advised the council that the station is currently being worked on. The platforms
should be completed within the year.
4). Chairman Chabot questioned the status of the Grove Street Crossing project in New Canaan. He indicated that
the flashers have been installed, but there are no hangers on the gates. Mr. Cox indicated that the gates would be
installed by April 15, 2002.
5). Mr. Donnarumma provided the council with an update on the Stamford Station. Contractors are installing the new
center island platform on tracks 1 and 2. Tracks 3,4 and 5 are open to passengers. The contractor is currently relocating
Station Place. Foundation work is expected to commence shortly. One house needs to be demolished in order to proceed
with the parking garage, however possible historic issues have recently come to light and must be resolved. Elevators and
escalators are operational. Work continues on Station Concourse. A new monitor is planned for the new kiosk, which is
located near the MTA Police and tunnel entrance.
In response to the council’s motion relating to snow plowing Chairman Chabot and Vice Chairman Cameron jointly authored
a letter to Stamford Mayor Malloy and Mr. Harry Harris (CDOT), expressing the council’s concern over the potential lack of
snow removal services around the transportation center. Mr. Harris indicated that he has made arrangements for CDOT crews
to handle the snow removal should the city crews not be available.
6). Mr. Harris presented the council with Initial Transportation Strategy report of the TSB. The report outlines the initial strategy,
actions to date and the key aspects of the TSB’s strategic focus. Mr. Harris briefly discussed the report but urged the council to
review it in detail. Vice Chairman Cameron indicated that the recommendations to the TSB are posted on the council’s web site
and members are also urged to visit it. Vice Chairman Cameron further indicated that he would send the Strategic Plan for Transportation
(TIA) to the council members. He also indicated that the council members should review it in detail.
7). Mr. Hogan reported that there were 40 cars in the shop backlog. He further indicated that the number of cars out of service were in part
accounted for by changes in the mandatory 3-year inspections and the window and A/C replacement programs. Adding that on an average
day, 6 cars are out of service for window replacement and another 13+ cars are out of service for the mandatory 60-day inspections.
8). Mr. Harris provided the council with an update on the proposed West Haven station. He indicated that West Haven is the
preferred site providing there is no fatal flaw at the selected location. He added that there is no money for construction, and in
order to obtain Federal funding alternatives have to be looked at. Environmental and engineering could take up to 3 years.
9). Mr. Cox reported that lighting at all New Haven Line stations has been reviewed and repairs are underway. Bulbs and ballasts
will be replaced at Milford, Stratford, Southport, South Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Riverside and Cos Cob. The existing light
pole fixtures at Greenwich will be re-lamped and re-ballasted. The Fairfield Parking Authority will spend approximated $ 62,000
to replace the existing electric fixtures at the Fairfield station.
Mr. Cox further indicated that disfigured glass panels on the passenger shelters at various stations will also be replaced. The
Waterbury line stations are included.
10). Mr. Colonese reported that the customer satisfaction survey results were still being tabulated, and he expected to forward the
results to the council by mid February.
11). Mr. Cox reported that the southbound Darien station rehab is complete. The northbound station is approximately 40% complete.
The entire station rehab should be completed by April 2002.
Council Member Mohs questioned why the Milford station rehab was taking so long. Specifically why the completion of the
station was 3 months overdue. Mr. Cox agreed it was overdue and indicated that at least the station would be open on 2/15/02.
Council Member Mohs indicated that the use of the Milford station as well as the parking is being seriously impaired by the
protracted construction. Mr. Cox indicated that the Milford station rehab is only part of the project. The platforms are going to
be extended so that 7 cars will be able to platform, as opposed to the 4 cars that can platform currently. This entails additional
utility work. Compounding the project is the sewer work that is running concurrently.
12). Mr. Cox advised the council that the New Haven car wash facility has been drained and closed for the winter. He further indicated
that all SLE train sets are being cycled through Stamford. Adding that Stamford has the capacity of cleaning 100 cars per day.
Chairman Chabot indicated that there were numerous complaints about dirty cars. Mr. Cox indicated that part of the problem might
be related to the windows themselves. The windows are being replaced on all M-2 cars. Infact, the widow replacement program is
approximately 45% complete and should be complete by the end of 2002.
13). Mr. Harris reviewed the 2002 CDOT Rail Passenger operating budget with the council. Council Member Marcuse noted that the
CDOT budget document lists the funds available for rail, and suggested that the council members review it and further suggested
advocacy. Mr. Harris indicated that the state cap on spending which is constitutional governs transportation spending. Mr. Harris
further pointed out that the operating budget is biennial.
Vice Chairman Cameron questioned if CDOT was getting an adequate budget. Mr. Harris responded that the budget parameters are
given to CDOT by OBM. Mr. Cox added that CDOT could request funds for additional specific projects, providing the projects are necessary.
14). Stamford overnight snow removal. See discussion in item 5 old business.
15). Vice Chairman Cameron indicated that there have been no meetings of the Southwest Corridor Action Committee (SCAC) in
almost a year. The goal of SCAC was to reduce motor vehicle traffic on US 95 by 5%. Mr. Harris reported that 5% is still the goal.
Vice Chairman Cameron promised the council a full report at it’s next meeting, of the SCAC meeting on 1/24/02, in which it would
receive, CDOT’s annual report on traffic mitigation.
1). Chairman Chabot requested an update on the delivery of the new coaches. Mr. Cox reported that 8 coaches and 2 cabs are expected
to be delivered in February. After testing, they are expected to be placed in service in June. The equipment will be utilized on both
the branch and main lines. It is not known if they will be named.
2). Mr. Harris reported that no cars will be ordered until 2008’. Before any new cars are ordered operations need to be studied. CT and
Metro North are not in agreement with which method (push/pull or pull/pull) is better. He stated that a double deck system would
be the preferred method, however a double deck train cannot go into GCT at this time. Mr. Harris also added that there is no funding
for study, engineering analysis or developing design specifications.
Chairman Chabot asked if there were any interim plans to purchase additional equipment given the over crowding, maintenance issues
and CDOT marketing programs. Mr. Harris indicated that there was no capital budget or Federal funding for purchasing additional
equipment. Adding, that purchasing 100 cars would cost between $1.5 and $2 billion. Vice Chairman Cameron requested CDOT to
make a presentation to the Federal transportation board for a number of projects including new equipment.
3). Council Member Marcuse indicated that the annual report, which the council is required to submit to the state has not be done.
After discussion it was decided that the chairman would bind the prior years minutes with a cover letter, and forward it.
Vice Chairman Cameron indicated that there was not a current list of council members, and made the following motion.
So moved:
“ The chairman is requested
to deliver to the council the name of each member and
when their
terms expire”
The motion was seconded and approved.
Respectfully submitted
James N. Mohs
Secretary
|
Rodney Chabot, Chairman |
John Hogan, Metro North |
|
Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman |
John Longobardi, Metro North |
|
Jim Mohs, Secretary |
Sgt. Finucane, MTA Police |
|
Lee Carlson, Council Member |
Fred Chidester, Metro North |
|
Peter Marcuse, Council Member |
Joe Kanell, Metro North |
|
Bob Jelley, Council Member |
Larry Ivy, Metro North |
|
Peter Myers, Council Member |
Eugene Colonese, Metro North |
|
Raymond Cox, CDOT |
Bonnie Olier, SLE/AMTRAK |
|
Mike Donnarumma, CDOT |
Scott Howland, SLE/AMTRAK |
|
Harry Harris, CDOT |
Patrick Walsh, SLW/AMTRAK |
|
Mark Neri, CDOT |
E.C. Schroeder, SLERA |
|
Jim Finch, Fmr. Consultant and Member |
Jim Buchanan, WQUN News |
