METRO NORTH NEW HAVEN RAIL COMMUTER COUNCIL
(Established in 1985 under Connecticut Public Act 85-239, now Sections 13b-212b and
13b -212c of the Connecticut General Statutes)
MINUTES OF AUGUST 13, 2008
SWRPA
STAMFORD, CT
Present were: Jim Cameron, Chairman; Terri Cronin, Rodney Chabot, Sue Prosi, Chris DeSanctis, Roger Cirella, Drew Todd, Connor Murphy, Bob Jelley, and Jeff Maron, members of the Council; Gene Colonese and Al Martin, DOT; Ed Lydecker, John Longobardi, Jeff Watson and Brian Tobachnick, Metro North Railroad; James McKenna, MTA Police Department; Rob Varnon, Scott Crosby, Kathy Gellman, Kristan Tulp, Mark Holzweiss, Todd O’Donnell and Danine Chevarella, members of the public.
The meeting began at 7:00 pm.
M-8 MOCK-UP
Ed Lydecker reported that there were 1,500 comment cards about the M-8 mock-up, which was exhibited at New Haven, Stamford, and Grand Central Terminal. He said that the comments had not yet been tabulated but that he would make a full report at the September meeting. He noted that one item was considered immediately actionable: the handicapped bar at the rear of the toilet hit people in the back. As a result, it will be changed.
There was some discussion by Sue Prosi and others about what changes in the cars could be made at this late date. Jeff Watson said that the building of the M-8 cars was on schedule.
MAY AND JUNE OPERATIONS REPORTS
Mr. Lydecker discussed the report. There was a question of why there were 30 bus substitutions on the Waterbury branch. Gene Colonese said that there were equipment failures with the new locomotives. John Longobardi said that the two new locomotives on the Waterbury branch are now running well.
Roger Cirella reported that over 100 people were riding the new early Waterbury train. There was a question about ridership figures on the operations report, and Mr. Colonese said that ridership figures were based on ticket sales.
SHORE LINE EAST SERVICE TO NEW LONDON
Todd O’Donnell spoke of the need to get Shore Line East service to New London. He spoke of the 1,400 parking spaces available at the New London station. Mr. Colonese said that the DOT was looking at expanding service to New London, but the problem was the three bridges between Old Saybrook and New London and the agreement which limits the number of times each day that the bridges can be closed. He said that the DOT was looking at schedule changes to try to get more than one train over the bridges each time they closed.
Bob Jelley said that it had been his observation that there were not that many boats that were blocked by closed bridges. Mr. O’Donnell said that he had hired an intern to collect data on the number of boats held up by closed bridges.
STAMFORD GARAGE
Al Martin announced that although the DOT had been working on a new garage to be part of a new office development near the Stamford station, that was now changed. The Department has decided to tear down the old garage and build a new one. He said there would be 1,000 parking spaces in the new garage, as opposed to 800 in the old garage. He said that there would be a three-year period when neither the old garage nor the new garage would be available. The Department will provide surface parking southwest of the station where the demolition of some old buildings has been going on. In answer to a question, Mr. Martin said he is not sure if the surface parking would hold the 800 cars displaced from the old garage. In answer to another question, he said that the Department has funding for the new garage.
Jeff Maron asked if the DOT had reexamined the question of repairing the old garage. Mr. Martin said that even if they fix the old garage, it wouldn’t last as long as a new garage. Mr. Maron asked for a copy of the analysis of the cost differential between repairing the old garage and building a new one. Mr. Martin said he would pull up whatever information the Department has.
A question was asked of whether there would be electronic signs to tell prospective parkers which garage or lot has parking space available. There was a comment suggesting that new office buildings, being planned near the railroad station will occupy space which may be needed for parking spaces in the future. Mr. Martin said that the office development behind the existing garage will also have parking that commuters may use. Drew Todd asked about the cost of the new garage and Mr. Martin said it was about $30 to $35 million.
NEW YORK FARE INCREASE
Jim Cameron said that the planned New York fare increase will have no effect on Connecticut fares. Mr. Martin said that there were no plans for a Connecticut fare increase, except for the legislatively-mandated fare increases beginning in 2010.
BICYCLES ON TRAINS
Mr. Cameron spoke of Governor Rell’s directive to the DOT instructing the Department to look at storage space for more bicycles on trains. Mr. Colonese said that the Department was considering bicycle storage at the location where the flip seats for wheelchairs are located. Terri Cronin asked if there was still a question of accommodating bicycles on peak trains. Mr. Maron asked how many bicycle permits had been issued and Mr. Watson said he would find out. Mr. Martin said there were more bicycles on off peak trains in the last two months than previously. Rodney Chabot asked whether anyone has any information on where people with bicycles get off the train, and was told that there was no information on that. Ms. Prosi said there is excess rack capacity at the stations but not covered and secured storage for bicycles. Jim McKenna said that there have been more bicycle thefts at Bridgeport and Stamford stations. He said lockers as in New Haven are a security concern.
SECURITY
Mr. Cameron asked Mr. McKenna what additional things were being done about train security. Mr. McKenna said that officers at stations were staying on the platform and stepping into trains and looking to see what the situation was in a car. He said that they were partnering with local police and that they were passing out cards telling people that if they saw something, they should report it. He also spoke of occasional surges. He said that officers were being trained to recognize terrorist behavior. He said that the K-9 now is up to 50 dogs in various locations.
Mr. Cronin spoke of increased crime at the South Norwalk station and said that it was a homeless problem. Mr. McKenna said he knew of no increase of crime at that station. Mr. Maron asked about the behavior analysis program. He said he never sees officers talking to passengers. Mr. Todd asked about partnering with the CT State Police. In answer to another question, Mr. McKenna said that the railroad police were dealing with the Waterbury problem.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Chabot said that he had been talking about a canopy at Talmadge Hill station for the 20 years he has been on the Council. He wondered why Stratford and Springdale stations were getting canopies but not Talmadge Hill. Mr. Colonese said that Talmadge Hill may be next.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Bob Jelley
Secretary
Phone: (203) 498-4306
e-mail : rjelley@wiggin.com
