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 café/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
