Minutes
May 15, 2002
CDOT Offices New Haven
Railroad Station
1). Minutes of the
March and April meetings were approved.
In the absence of Chairman Rodney
Chabot, the meeting was chaired by Vice Chmn. Jim Cameron until 7:20 pm at which
time Chairman Chabot had arrived.
1). CDOT reported that the average daily
ridership on SLE from Old Saybrook to New Haven for April amounted to 1,173
passengers. The daily average represents a .4 % increase from the Y-T-D date
average ridership. In addition, the on time performance rate for April was
96.40%, which is equal to the comparable Y-T-D figures.
CDOT and Metro North confirmed
that there will be an additional new through train starting on June 24th,
which will run from Stamford to Old Saybrook.
The new train will be added to the next schedule, it is expected that
the new train will leave Stamford at 5:10.
CDOT reported that the State
Street Station is expected to be open for service in early June. The council
again requested that Metro North provide seat drops to inform passengers of the
hours and services available. CDOT indicated that they would address the
seat-drop issues. In addition, CDOT indicated that it would issue a notice to
riders that the bicycle policy had changed.
The council requested an update on
the new SLE station program. CDOT indicated that construction of the Guilford
station, which was planned for August is on hold. Adding that the new bids came
in at the same relative amounts as the former bids which were previously
rejected.
2). Buses were substituted on the Waterbury
line on 14 occasions during the month of April. The substitutions were the result of mechanical breakdowns and
planned maintenance. On time performance for the Waterbury line was reported to
be in the 95% range. In addition, it was noted that there were no problems with
the Genesis engines currently assigned to the Waterbury Branch.
3). CDOT reported that busses were substituted
on the Danbury line on 3 occasions in April.
The substitutions were the result of equipment and planned maintenance.
No on time performance figures were available.
Metro North reported that the bus
service from Ridgefield to Katonah was started in April and that the average
daily ridership amounted to approximately 60 passengers. In addition, Metro
North confirmed Danbury would also begin additional busing, since it is
believed that this service would attract more Danbury riders to the Harlem Line
of MNRR in Westchester.
4). Mr. Donnarumma provided the council with an
update on the Stamford Station. Contractors are continuing installation of the
new center island platform and portions of the eastbound side platform. The
catenary contractor continues to address punch list and wire replacement
issues. The project completion is still anticipated for February 2003, but
added that functional use of the amenities may begin as early as this June.
Tracks 3,4 and 5 are open to passengers. Garage foundation work has begun and
the precast concrete work continues.
The parking garage expansion project is expected to be completed in
December 2003. Repairs to the existing elevators and escalators are
substantially complete and are expected to be put into service at the end of
May 2002. Information & directional signs are being modified and replaced
to better reflect the revised layout of the station and to address shortcomings
in the original designs. This includes signs on all the platforms, in the
tunnel and in the concourse.
5). Vice Chrm.Cameron reported that the TSB
Chairman has requested the working groups to work on evaluating alternatives.
Adding that at the recent TIA meeting, the need for additional rail cars was
the #1 recommendation. Mr. Harris reported that the TSB and specifically the
working groups are currently examining the costs of the recommendations.
A copy of the CDOT presentation to
the TSB is now on the council website. Chairman Chabot thanked Mr. Harris for
his continued support of rail service.
6). Metro North reported that there were 40-45
cars out of service on an average day. In addition it was noted that the HVAC
work was substantially complete.
7). DOT reported that the Bar car rebuilding
program is still under review. At issue are two groups of passengers. One group
wants the bar cars expanded, and the other group wants more seating. Metro
North indicated that by design a bar car has 28 seats where a regular car has
116. Designs have been made which will convert the existing bar cars into café
style cars which would add more seating and still maintain the bar service.
CDOT reconfirmed that there is no funding for the renovations, however there is
a possibility that the bars cars could be rebuilt as part of the M2 program.
The council advanced the idea of converting the bar cars to café cars, serving
coffee in the morning while deadheading to GCT. Both CDOT and Metro North
indicated that there would be potential union issues if that were attempted.
8). Council member Jelly indicated that LIRR
currently operates bi-level cars and suggested that if the council members had
the opportunity they should ride one. CDOT noted that their fleet configuration
study has taken a hard look at bi-level cars as an alternative. The issue is
the size of the cars. Currently the bi-level cars are to large fit in the
tunnels at GCT and major bridge renovations would be required. CDOT further
indicated that any new cars would have a dramatic reduction in seating do to
ADA and other safety requirements.
9). Chairman Chabot reported that the
Council’s Annual report is in progress and should be filed by the end on the
council session.
10). There were no AMTRAK representatives
present. Accordingly, the AMTRAK Budget discussion was tabled until next
meeting.
11), CDOT stated that there were no Budget cuts
for SLE or Metro North in any of the Budget drafts. Adding that while the
General assembly has not passed the 2003 Budget, none of the proposed budgets
provided for any cuts in Rail Operations.
12). In other old business Council member
Zimmerman again questioned when the crossing gate at Grove Street in New Canaan
was to be finally installed, adding that it had been promised for months. CDOT
indicated that it would be finished by June 15th.
1). In Executive Session the following motion
was submitted by Vice Chairman Cameron, and unanimously approved.
“Whereas it is important that
the appointees to the Commuter Council
attend meetings and
participate on behalf of the riders they represent
and,
Whereas our enabling
legislation dictates that any member who misses 3
consecutive meetings, or 50%
of all meetings within a calendar year, will
be considered to have
resigned,
Therefore, I move that after
missing 2 consecutive meetings, the
Secretary advise a member of their
impending resignation. After 3
missed meetings the
Secretary inform the member in writing of their
resignation, and inform the
member’s appointing authority of their
resignation and seek a new
appointee.”
Respectfully submitted
James N. Mohs
Secretary
|
Rodney Chabot, Chairman |
Eugene Colonese, Metro North |
|
Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman |
Joe Kanell, Metro North |
|
Jim Mohs, Secretary |
John Malk, MTA Police |
|
Ed. Zimmermann, Council Member |
Harry Harris, CDOT |
|
Bob Jelley, Council Member |
Raymond F. Cox, CDOT |
|
Peter Marcuse, Council Member |
Mike Donnarumma, CDOT |
|
Lee Carlson, Council Member |
Mark Neri, CDOT |
|
Ted Bowen, Metro North |
E.L.Schroeder, SLERA |
|
Phil Wilheby, Metro North |
Richard Stone, T C 3 |
John Greene, Metro North Scott Crosby, Darien
