METRO NORTH NEW HAVEN RAIL COMMUTER COUNCIL

(Established in 1985 under Connecticut Public Act 85-239, now Sections 13b-212b and -212c

of the Connecticut General Statutes)

 

 

MINUTES OF MAY 19, 2004 MEETING

AT SACIA OFFICES, ONE LANDMARK SQUARE

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT

 

 

The meeting began at 7:30 p.m. 

 

Present were:  Chairman Rodney Chabot, Ed Zimmerman, Bob Jelley, Carl Leaman, Peter Marcuse and Joe McGee, Members of the Council; Gene Colonese, Fred Chidester and Jeff Watson, Metro North Railroad; Ray Cox and Mike Donnarumma, Connecticut DOT; Dick Bond, Scott Crosby, and Larry Uydess, members of the public.

 

The Minutes for the March 24, 2004 and April 28, 2004 were approved.

 

 

PROPOSED FARE INCREASE

 

Ray Cox reported that it was more likely that there would be a fare increase beginning January 1, 2005, rather than July 1, 2004, as originally proposed.  He said that in order to accomplish this postponement, the Legislature would have to come up with additional operating and maintenance funds. 

 

 

STAMFORD STATION

 

Ray Cox reported that there was nothing new to report.  In answer to a question about the former surface parking lot at the entrance to the parking garage, he said that he thought that the surface lot was no longer available to the State.  [He subsequently confirmed that that was so.]

 

 

SECURITY OF RAILROAD YARDS

 

There had been a newspaper report that TV reporters had found it easy to enter and wander around in the New Haven railroad yard.  Ray Cox, in response to a question, said that DOT needs to find $5 million to have a security check done of the entire New Haven line.  He went on to say that it was impossible to consider fencing the entire railroad. 

 

Mike Donnarumma reported that there had been a simulated emergency and actual evacuation of Bridgeport Station the morning of the meeting, and that it went very well.  Stamford Station is next on the list. 

 

 

WATERBURY BRANCH

 

Rodney Chabot reported that he believed the Legislature had provided funds for returning to midday train service on the Waterbury branch.  Ray Cox said that he did not know that that was so.  Gene Colonese said that midday train service could be restored quickly.  There was further discussion of the need to reprint timetables if train service is restored. 

 

 

DANBURY BRANCH

 

Ray Cox reported that the new date for requesting bids for a signal system on the Danbury branch is November 19, 2004. 

 

 

MAINTENANCE BACKLOG

 

It was reported that the New Haven line was short 15 cars the morning of the meeting.  There is an average of 62 cars in the shop.  It is now expected that Metro North will be able to start using the Amtrak repair facility in New Haven at the beginning of August. 

 

 

TAXI DISPATCHER IN STAMFORD

 

Ray Cox reported that it had been decided not to use the dispatcher system on weekends.  As a result there is no $2.00 surcharge on weekends.  He reported that the dispatcher system costs $36,000.00 per week to operate vs. income of $22,000.00 per week. 

 

 

FLEET REPLACEMENT

 

Ray Cox reported that a decision about a long-term fleet replacement schedule and preparation of specifications for new cars will probably not be made until January, 2005.   These new cars will probably not start arriving until 2012.  He also stated that it had not been decided whether to use the existing M-7 platform for new cars or whether to design a new M-8. 

 

Ray Cox went on to say that DOT had managed to negotiate a very favorable purchase of 38 used electric cars from the State of Virginia.  (10 of the 38 cars have cabs for a train operator.)  The plan is that these cars will be used for Shore Line East, freeing up the present Shore Line East cars for use on the main line.  The ability to buy 38 relatively new cars for such a good price leaves the DOT with $40 million that can be used to purchase 10 locomotives for the main and branch lines.   

 

 

NEW CANAAN BRANCH

 

It was reported that land had been purchase for an addition to the parking lot of the Talmadge Hill Station.  The Rail Council passed a resolution approving this new parking, providing 60-70 more spaces, to be paid for by the Town of New Canaan. 

 

Rodney Chabot reported that he was planning a “Meet the Commuters Day” in June.  The Council decided that the next meeting would be held in New Haven on Wednesday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

Bob Jelley

Secretary

 

 

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