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 SEPTEMBER 19, 2007
THE OFFICES OF SWRPA
STAMFORD GOVERNMENT CENTER
STAMFORD, CT
Present were: Jim Cameron, Chairman; Rodney Chabot, Sue Prosi, Joe McGee, Terri Cronin, Chris DeSanctis, members of the Council; Gene Colonese, Al Martin, Gene Colonese, Peter Richter, and Al Martin, CDOT; David Dykstra, Metro North Railroad Assistant Director; Jeff Watson and Ed Lydecker, Metro North Railroad; Timothy McCarthy, MN Capital Engineering; Cesar Vergara, Jacobs Engineering; Kristan Tulp, Roger Cirella and Andrea Zana, members of the public
The meeting began at 7:05 p.m. The minutes of the August meeting were approved.
JUNE AND JULY UPDATE
Mr. Lydecker reported that ridership is up more than 5%. Gene Colonese stated that there was an 8% increase in ridership. NYC ridership is strong on New Haven line and Shoreline east.
Ms. Prosi asked how many café cars are in CSR program? Ed Lydecker stated that they are increasing by two each month.
PRESENTATIONS ON M-8 PROGRAM
Tim McCarthy started discussing the doors on the M-8s. He stated that the doors are single leaf. He also recognized that CT is paying the most money and that next time the pictures would contain decals from both MTA and New Haven line. Mr. McCarthy noted the different colors on floors to highlight where to go during emergencies, the ceiling has an oval shaped light, and wide windows add to security.
Jim Cameron asked about advertising in vestibules. Mr. McCarthy stated some wind screens will have advertising on them and some will not.
Mr. McCarthy’s group went on to display actual materials on the seats and provided longitudinal shots of rail cars: side ceiling, highly reflective surface, center ceiling curved. Tim noted the seat material is made in Germany and is flame retardant. He stated that the M-7 was used as a starting point for M-8 and that the M-7’s are running very well. Mr. McCarthy stated that there is much more room to store belongings.
Jim Cameron asked about handicapped seating. Cesar Vergara stated that people in wheelchairs will enjoy more space.
Ms. Prosi asked if the single doors break down more versus double doors and if having two doors is more advantageous. Dave Dykstra stated the single doors have a great track record. Mr. Vergara stated that the chance of doors breaking down is very little.
Mr. Chabot asked whether there was heating in and around doors for winter to prevent freezing. Mr Dykstra answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Cameron asked about WI-FI in the cars. Mr. Dykstra stated that they are making space to add this technology and that the space for it is presently not there.
Mr. Cameron inquired about a PA system to allow conductors to communicate. Mr. Dykstra answered in the affirmative. The system will reach the lavatory as well.
Ms. Cronin asked if doors will have sensor capabilities? Mr. Dykstra replied yes. The doors will not shut on passengers.
Mr. Cameron inquired about cars being ‘married-pairs.’ Mr. Dykstra said that the cars are semi-permanently married. They will not operate as a single car. There is a lot of electronic communication between married pairs. Mr. Dykstra commented that there will be destination signs inside and outside cars.
Mr. Dykstra commented that the lavatory will have a vacuum toilet out to a holding tank.
Peter Richter commented that the CSR cars have 4 or 5 times capacity as original cars had.
Mr. Cameron asked about the pitch between seats and Mr. Vergara said the M-7s have one inch more of leg room.
Mr. Cameron asked about a GPS on cars. Mr. Dykstra said there is a GPS system and it is meshed in the communications programs. The schedule is programmed into it and there are two volume levels for PA.
Ms. Prosi asked about the safety equipment features and Mr. Dykstra talked about the evacuation ramps, which are located at the ends in lockers.
Mr. Cameron went on to ask about the energy consumption of the cars and how green they are. Mr. Dykstra said yes, the AC traction more efficient power with auto turn off.
Mr. Cameron asked if there were enough grip bars for standees and Mr. Vergara replied there are grab handles at every seat in isles. Mr. Dykstra said there is not usually a problem with overcrowding on M-7s.
Mr. Chabot asked how many seats are stuck with no windows in front and back of cars.
Timothy McCarthy said about 10 people per car without windows. Mr. Cameron inquired about arm rests next to seats by the windows and Mr. Dykstra said there were.
Ms. Prosi what about the aisle’s width and Mr. Dykstra said it’s the same as push pull cars, about 23 inches minimum.
Ms. Prosi and others discussed the three - three facing seats nearest the doors and argued that the extra seat would only cause crowding. MNRR said they had lost so many seats in the new car design due to ADA-compliance and electronics moved inside the cars that they needed every available seat.
Mr. Dykstra said they will have a mock up for program in December or January, 2nd phase in May. Mr. Dykstra stated that the first 8 cars are due on the 1st of December 09. The first 8 cars will be manufactured in Japan, and the rest done in Nebraska.
Mr. Richter asked about the M-8s’ maintenance facility in New Haven. There is a 2/3 higher cost due to inflation. Mr. Richter commented that the higher costs were unintended. Mr. Cameron asked if the facility will be finished before cars arrive and Gene Colonese said it would.
Dave D – a passenger seat drop for comments and suggestion - not a survey is planned this Fall. It is an open ended response form looking for “fatal flaws” in the design.
MAIN LINE ISSUES
Ms. Prosi noted that St. Rep John Harkins was planning meetings seeking public input on rail issues per signs out at rail road stations. Ms. Prosi said she planned to attend and would represent the Council.
Mr. Chabot said there are drain pipes leading at the Darien station and Mr. Colonese said he will have station people look at it.
Mr. Cameron asked about the “Fix My Station” program and Mr. Richter said the Milford East Board side has totally been rebuilt. They are still looking for funding for other projects.
Ms. Cronin asked about safety issues as far as numbers of people riding the train during breakdowns and combination of trains. MNRR assured that conductors are taught to manage crowds.
Chris DeSanctis inquired about bags being left by passengers on trains unattended. Asked if there was a policy in place for conductors to follow and if they were following it, Mr. Colonese replied yes to the policy question.
BRANCH LINE ISSUES
Rodney asked about the Danbury Line and electrification study.
Mr. Cameron said the Stamford garage is full, leaving no spaces/
Jeff Watson inquired about preventative maintenance of the garage and the time line. Mr. Colonese answered that there is not much movement, slow, still in dialogue.
Mr. Watson stated that there are no stop signs in the garage, just ones on the floor. People are not stopping and it is very dangerous. Al Martin will bring a report to the next meeting about the garage.
Mr. Martin asked about the Metro Center private/public partnership development at Stamford station. There was no news. Waiting for funding bills to be passed by legislature and signed by Governor.
Mr. Martin asked about the parking: Commuters will not lose parking, but gain, in the temporary parking lot. Mr. Cameron said once the plan is in ink we’ve lost negotiating power. Dollar per fare increase charge… will it happen? Do not know.
FARE SURCHARGE
Mr. Cameron stated that a public hearing on the fare surcharge might get the legislature moving and dates for future meetings were discussed. The final meeting schedule will be posted on Council website.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:00 pm at CDOT Offices, New Haven RR Station
Respectfully submitted,
Chris DeSanctis
Acting Secretary
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