at
In
attendance:
Rodney Chabot, Chairman����������������������������� Mike Donnarumma, CDOT-Rails���
Ed Zimmerman, Council Member������������������ Joe Kanell, Metro-North
Peter Marcuse, Council Member�������������������� Raymond F. Cox, CDOT-Rails
Stephanie Harwood, Council Member����������� Harry P. Harris, CDOT-Public Trans.
Robert Jelley, Council Member��������������������� Mark D. Neri, CDOT-Design/Constr.
Peter Millard, Council Member ���������������������Rod Armstrong, CDOT-Rails Constr.
Leighton Carlson, Council Member�������������� Robert Pettinicchi, CDOT-Rails-Constr.�������
Carl Leaman, Council Member��������������������� Peter S. Myers, Metro North Council
Lt. Robert O�Neill, MTA Police������������������� John Bernick, CDOT-State Design
Eugene J. Colonese, Metro-North����������������� Halina Harabasz, CDOT-State Design
James Fox, CDOT-Rails������������������������������� Scott Crosby, rail advocate
Meeting called to order by Mr. Chabot at 7:30 PM
Mr. Cox reported that in March, Shore Line East trains operated 98% on time.
Bicycles are now allowed on Shore Line East trains, said Mr. Cox.� The front wheel must
���� be removed and the bike stored between seats on the 3-seat side.
The 4:35 PM departure of train 3640, through from Stamford to New London is
too early, according to a complaint received by Mr. Chabot.�� Mr. Jelley reported that
on a day he rode the train, 32 people went through to Shore Line East points.
Mr. Jelley observed that one day, he saw about 200 passengers waiting for the 4:20 PM
��� train east from Stamford. The 4:35 PM departure takes some of the load from the
��� earlier train, since it stops only in Bridgeport and New Haven.
The next through train will be added on June 24, according to Mr. Cox.� The afternoon
��� train will depart Stamford at approximately 5:10 PM.
It was suggested that the through trains stop at South Norwalk by Mr. Jelley.
Mr. Cox announced that to alleviate the frequent delay of train 3639, due to the
��� frequently late Acela Express 2151, 3639 will depart New London 6 minutes
��� earlier, beginning April 19. Times at other stations will remain the same.
The opening of bids for construction of new Shore Line East stations in Branford,
��� Guilford, Madison and Clinton were to be opened next week, but it has been
��� delayed 2 weeks, according to Mr. Bernick.
Mr. Bernick said that work on the Branford and Guilford stations will begin in
��� mid-August.� Madison and Clinton station work will begin about a year later.
��� At present, there is no decision of the location of a Westbrook station.
Mr. Carlson asked what was the 7-hour work window that was wanted for the station
��� construction, as reported in the local newspapers.� Mr. Bernick replied that the
��� work period would be at night.
Mr. Harris reported that former Transportation Commissioner Sullivan had planned
��� parking for 400 cars at each of the Shore Line East stations.� The plan is to be
��� presented to� the South Central Connecticut Regional Council of Governments
��� on May 8.� He stated that there would much pain, as property will have to be
��� taken in order to meet that goal.
It is planned that the new State Street rail station will open in mid-May, said Mr.
��� Pettinicchi.� A ceremonial opening will take place.
On the Waterbury Branch, there was only one bus substitution in March, according
��� to Mr. Cox.
Mr. Kanell said that wire trains would be gone within 2-3 weeks, as Metro-North is
��� receiving new catenary maintenance vehicles.
Mr. Marcuse remarked that if a Genesis locomotive were assigned to Waterbury
��� Branch trains, service would be more reliable.
At this time there is no more money available for new equipment, said Mr. Harris.
��� There are no current plans for the acquisition of more rolling stock, once the
��� four locomotives and 10 passenger cars now being delivered go into service.
��� Realistically, the state will need 90 cars in the next 3 years, 240 in 14 years.
Regarding the improvements at Milford station, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Pettinicchi
��� Distributed handouts about the project. (See attached).� The work is scheduled to
��� start in 2003.
Mr. Bernick said that it is planned to make room for catenary over the location of
��� former track 3 at the station, in case it is ever restored, but the platform would
��� serve track 1.� Mr. Carlson remarked as to how it seemed short sighted, since
��� there is a possibility for track 3 restoration, that the platform should have been
��� located to serve track 3, and that for the time being, track 1 should be swung over
��� to that location.� Mr. Neri said that had never been is the DOT�s plan.�
Mr. Crosby stated that he had written to the chairman of MTA about that in 2000.� He
��� was told by DOT officials that Connecticut officials should been approached, not
��� MTA, as MTA has no jusisdiction over Connecticut stations.
A presentation was made by Mr. Bernick and Ms. Harabasz regarding the new
��� information kiosks, which will first be installed at stations in Darien and Milford.
��� Ms. Harabasz said that if at least 30 kiosks are ordered at one time, the cost could
��� be reduced to about $2500.00 per unit, vs. $5000.00 if a smaller number were ordered.
��� The kiosks will have metal posts, and be made of either brushed aluminum or stainless
��� steel.� They will be double-sided and installed one on each side of the tracks.
Mr. Harris said that the Connecticut Commuter Rail logo may change, but the logo
��� would be on each of the kiosks.�
The escalators serving tracks 3 and 5 in Stamford are again out of service, according to
��� Mr. Chabot.� Mr. Cox said that parts were needed, but would check into what the
��� specific problem is this time.� Mr. Jelley said that the station�s public address system
��� is inaudible on the platforms.� This is caused by the incorrect spacing of speakers.
��� Signage on tracks 3 and 5 will be in place by summer, according to Mr. Cox.� New
��� electrical service is needed in Stamford, due to� in vendor stalls serving the station.
��� The work on the garage is ahead of schedule, according to Mr. Harris, and the Amtrak
��� ticket window opened on April 13.�
Mr. Donnarumma presented a report on the progress of Stamford station work.� (see
��� Attached)
Mr. Jelley reported that he and Mr. Cameron participated in Meet the Commuter Day,
��� But he thought that it was not as successful aboard the train as it was when held at
��� stations.� Mr. Harris said that he found doing such a thing aboard the train was very
��� successful, but he had to announce loudly who he was and why he was there, as he
��� entered each car.
Regarding the backlog in the passenger car shops, Mr. Donnarumma reported that on
��� April 17, there were 8 cars short for a full complement of cars.� At present 38 cars
��� are awaiting new wheels.� The air conditioning systems work is on schedule.� Mr.
��� Cox said that the first pair of M-2 cars is in New Haven for rebuilding.� The current
��� M-2 shop is old and not up to modern standards.� A new building is planned for� New
��� Haven.�
Regarding the rebuilding of the bar cars, Mr. Harris presented a possible plan (see
��� enclosed).� They will probably be redesigned as caf�/coaches, increasing seating
��� capacity.� Mr. Millard suggested surveying the cost and profitability of operating
��� bar cars.�
Regarding idling locomotives at Danbury, Mr. Cox and Mr. Kanell said that they will
��� Likely remain idling, as it is necessary for them to be running to do maintenance work.
When asked about a possible fare increase or reduction in service, Mr. Harris said that
��� fiscal 2003 (beginning July 1, 2002) operating budget has a potential deficit.� There
��� may be enough to pay Metro-North and Shore Line East costs only, with no amenities.
��� He commented that� the state pays $8 million to Metro-North for administrative assets.
��� There is as much as a 41% discrepancy in what the railroad bills the state and what the
��� State believes is the actual amount owed.
Brush cutting on the New Canaan Branch will cause mid-day track outages from about
��� May 15 to June 16.� Tie replacement work will be done concurrently.� There are no
��� Plans for track outages on the Danbury and Waterbury branches.
Mr. Colonese reported that the new timetable includes increased service on Saturday,
��� so that there is now half-hourly service from New Haven in the morning.� The June
��� 24 timetable will have the new Shore Line East Stamford service in it.�
The crossing gate arms at Grove St. in New Canaan were to have been installed by
��� April 15, but had not yet been done, according to Mr. Chabot.� No explanation could
��� Be given.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Leighton B. Carlson
Acting Secretary
