On behalf of the Council,
Chairman Chabot welcomed and thanked Mr. Cannito for attending the Council
Meeting.
Mr. Cannito who is President
of Metro North addressed the Council and shared his insights on rail service,
operations and future plans. In prepared remarks, Mr. Cannito noted that 2002
was a record year for on-time performance (96.8%). Adding, that ridership was
at record levels even with the expected downturn in the economy and 911. Metro
North ridership increased by 1/10 of 1% even though most other rail lines
decreased. Mr. Cannito indicated that reverse commutes were the sole factor in
the increased ridership.
Responding to a Council
question regarding the linking of the NY, NJ and LI railroads as a way of
bringing manpower into Fairfield County, Mr. Cannito responded that
transportation is the way to access the metro area labor pool, the Pennsylvania
Station Study and LI access to GCT study are expected to be completed by 2012.
In addition, the I-287 Study is ongoing. Stressing the reliability of the
fleet, Mr. Cannito noted that the largest constraint to growth is the aging
fleet (28-30 yrs. old), obsolete systems and high mileage accumulations.
Turning to 2003, Mr. Cannito
indicated that 2003 was the 20th anniversary of the formation of
Metro North. Adding, that when Metro North was formed the on-time performance
rate was in the low 80% range, and now it is the mid to upper 90% range.
Generally the New Haven line accounts for 40% of the ridership, where improved
service has been the focus. The YTD on-time performance rate is 96.4% and the
Mean Failure Rate has increased to 76,700 miles per failure despite the aging
fleet and poor weather conditions.
Turning to NY, Mr. Cannito
announced that in 2003 Metro North was adding 180 M-7 units to replace the M-1
and ACU’s. These units will not be able to run in CT.
Asked by the Council what
Major Projects where ongoing, Mr. Cannito spoke briefly about the following
projects as well as others.
1).
New Haven Line Catenary Replacement project.
2).
The car rebuilding program.
3).
Window change out program.
4).
Toilet, Heating System and Cab Signal swap out program
5).
The new yard in the Bronx (Highbridge).
6). The deployment of the new TSM’s
(Ticket Selling Machines) and plans for
additional orders.
Responding to a Council
question regarding the additional congestion caused by the additional 160,000
riders expected to be channeled through GCT from the LIRR Eastside Access and
Penn Station Access programs, Mr. Cannito indicated that he didn’t feel it
would impact the GCT operations, since both would have a different tunnel and
mezzanine. Adding that the 2nd Avenue project was a Subway issue.
Vice Chairman Cameron
questioned why the Customer Satisfaction Survey was discontinued. Mr. Cannito
responded that the survey was not cancelled it was postponed. Citing concerns
over the fare increase and the anticipated skewed results, MN decided it would
be better to postpone the study.
On the subject of quiet
cars, Mr. Cannito indicated that MN has looked at it, but it is not
enforceable. Adding that cell phone usage unlike smoking is not against the
law. MN is trying to handle the issue through the courtesy campaign.
Addressing the issue of
freight, the Council noted that CT wishes to take freight off the highway, and
questioned whether there has been any consideration given to increasing freight
service on MN. Mr. Cannito responded that MN currently works with freight but
increases are a capacity issue on the New Haven Line. The Haven Line is much
more restrictive due to the lower catenary, adding, that 23 ft. is required for
double stack freight cars and the New Haven line is less.
Chairman Chabot and Vice
Chairman Cameron thanked Mr. Cannito for attending the Council meeting and
sharing his thoughts with Council.
OLD
BUSINESS:
1). Minutes of the May Meeting were
approved.
2). CDOT reported
that the SLE on-time performance for May was approximately 96% and 89% YTD. The
average daily ridership for May was 1527 and 1828 YTD.
Responding
to Council questions, CDOT reported that the parking lot in Old Saybrook should
open with the next few weeks. Construction bids for the Branford, Guilford and
Clinton Stations should be going out by July 30, 2003. and that the SLE thru
trains to Stamford should continue.
3). CDOT
reported that there were 2 bus substitutions on the Waterbury Branch Line during
May, and that on-time performance for April was 94.9%
Concerned
riders of the Waterbury Line seeking the reversal of the new schedule changes
presented a petition to MN. MN agreed to review it for the October schedule.
CDOT
announced that it planned on shutting down the Waterbury Line for approximately
45 days due to main line catenary work. During that time bus service will be
arranged. CDOT also agreed to provide advance notice to the ridership.
4). CDOT
reported that there were no bus substitutions on the Danbury Branch Line during
May, and that on-time performance for May was 97.8%.
CDOT
reported that there was a hearing scheduled on June 26, 2003 regarding the
electrification of the Danbury branch. No Details were supplied.
5). CDOT reported that the Washington Boulevard
Bridge Replacement project at the Stamford Station was ongoing. Work was
continuing on the storm drain system, roadway and the sidewalk areas were
excavated to grade and the granite curbs were installed and concrete poured. In
addition, pedestrian signals were installed at Station Place and the Washington
Boulevard intersection.
No work was performed on the Stamford
Transportation Center Improvement project or ADA upgrade in the station.
Restrooms remain closed during construction.
6). Metro
North reported that they are making progress with the shop backlog. Metro North
further agreed to provide the Council with the most recent consist report at
the next scheduled meeting. In addition MN agreed to look into putting the
report on the web site.
7). CDOT
reported that the TSB was in special session and that due to a lack of funding,
it is believed that only the Section 16 Projects, such as the SLE thru trains
and the express busses, would continue through the next fiscal year.
CDOT further
indicated that the Fleet Configuration Study called for the purchase of 100
additional cars now, but neither MN nor CDOT have any budget for capital
equipment and won’t until 2012’.
After
discussion, Council member McGee made the following motion, which was
unanimously approved.
So Moved:
“That the Council endorses the
legislature to develop a broad based revenue source that will be earmarked
solely for transportation.”
A copy of the TSB Final Report can be found on
the Council’s website and all members are encouraged to read it.
8). Discussion
regarding Cold Weather Station Access was moved to September.
9). CDOT
reported that the gutter at the Darien station was repaired. However, other
leaks have been reported. These additional problems are warrantee issues, which
CDOT agreed to review and present the Council with a report at the next
meeting.
10). In other old business:
CDOT
announced that they were looking into a sale/leaseback of the equipment for the
purposes of generating the funds necessary to pay for the M-2 Rehab program.
CDOT also
announced that due to the early retirement program, CDOT has lost 670
employees.
NEW
BUSINESS:
1). An election was held and Mr. Rodney Chabot
was reelected Chairman for the upcoming year. Mr. Jim Cameron was reappointed
as Vice Chairman.
2). After discussion it was decided that the
Council should have a summer meeting. That meeting will be held at SACIA on
July 30, 2003 at 7:30 pm.
3). Chairman Chabot agreed to develop a meeting schedule
for the next year.
Respectfully submitted,
James N.
Mohs
Secretary
|
Rodney Chabot, Chairman |
Thomas Izzo, CDOT |
|
Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman |
Peter Cannito, Metro North |
|
Jim Mohs, Secretary |
Joe Kanell, Metro North |
|
Bob Jelly, Council Member |
Eugene Colonese, Metro
North |
|
Peter Myers, Council
Member |
Fred Chidester, Metro
North |
|
Ed Zimmerman, Council
Member |
State Senator Andrew
McDonald |
|
Jeff Maron, Council Member |
Sharlie Rustici, Commuter |
|
Peter Millard, Council
Member |
Scott Crosby, Commuter |
|
Carl Leaman, Council
Member |
Kateryn Oziekan, Commuter |
|
Joe McGee, Council Member |
Jon Lucas, The Advocate |
|
Harry Harris, CDOT |
SGT. John Mullen, MTA
Police |
|
Mike Donnaruma, CDOT |
PO. Victor Aviles, MTA
Police |
|
Ray Cox, CDOT |
|
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