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 22, 2010

SWRPA

STAMFORD, CT

 

Present were:  Jim Cameron, Chairman; Sue Prosi, Bob Jelley, John Hartwell,  Rodney Chabot, Terri Cronin, and Luke Schnirring, members of the Council; Gene Colonese and Jim Redeker, DOT; Joe Kanell and Susan Doering, MNR; Jim McKenna, MTA Police; Martin Cassidy, Stamford Advocate; John Austin and Harold Kubina, members of the public. 

 

The meeting began at 7:00 pm.

 

The August Minutes were approved with corrections. 

 

HARLEM RIVER BRIDGE FIRE

 

There was a general discussion about the fire at the Harlem River Bridge on Monday noon, September 20.  There was general agreement that reports from Metro North of the fire and its effect on train service were slower than those from news media, and a consensus feeling was expressed that Metro North would do better in getting alerts out more quickly without worrying so much about word-smithing. 

 

NEW AUGUST 30 TIMETABLE

 

Terri Cronin said that all trains that she rode since the timetable change have been packed, and it was very difficult to find a seat.  Gene Colonese said that he would check on passenger counts on the trains that Ms. Cronin was talking about.  [REPORT]  Joe Kanell said that the system was operating with difficulty because of the two tracks out of service between Southport and Bridgeport, but that the railroad was “making it work”.  There was also discussion of the difficulty of collecting tickets on such crowded trains.  The Council commended MNR on several recent days with 100% on-time performance in spit of the track outages.

 

HEARINGS ON PROPOSED METRO NORTH FARE INCREASES AND OTHER CHANGES

 

Jim Cameron suggested that at the beginning of each of the two hearings, the DOT ought to try to explain why these fare increases and other changes were needed.  John Hartwell suggested that the rule changes were a sneaky way to make a fare increase without appearing to do so.  He asked what the revenue effect of these changes was, and representatives of both DOT and MNR said there was a number but that they didn’t know it.  Jim Cameron suggested that he write a letter to Commissioner Parker on behalf of the Council asking various questions about the fare changes and ticket rule changes and it was agreed he should do so. 

 

RAIL PLAN

 

There was some discussion of the draft 2010 – 2014 rail plan put together by the DOT.  Bob Jelley said that he thought the most important parts of the plan were the New Haven, Hartford, Springfield commuter line and access to Penn Station through the Hell Gate route.  Sue Prosi said that there wasn’t enough money available to do everything the plan proposed.  John Austin suggested that there ought to be a real high speed line between New York and Springfield, and thought that it should be on a route along the Merritt Parkway. 

 

FAIRFIELD METRO STATION

 

There was some discussion about a potential bus parking problem at the new station.  Apparently GBTA wants to provide bus service to the station when it opens, but is having trouble getting parking for buses at the station.  Mr. Colonese said he would look into it.  [REPORT]

 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

 

Mr. Cameron asked why, in doing the repairs at the Noroton Heights station, the canopy was taken down in April but will not be finished until winter.  Mr. Colonese said the work was scheduled to be done in stages. 

 

Mr. Jelley reported on the variety of bike cars on trains that he had seen on his recent trip in Switzerland.  He said that many of the bike cars appeared to be older cars that had had the seats removed and hooks put in for bicycles.  He asked why an unpowered car couldn’t be used on an M-8 train for bicycles.  Mr. Kanell said that cars other than M-8 cars were entirely incompatible with M-2/4/6 cars and could not be so used. 

 

Mr. Jelley asked about work on two-sided stations for Shore Line East.  Mr. Colonese said that the design work was proceeding on all of the stations.  He said that the Legislature had approved two-sided stations but has not appropriated the money. 

 

Mr. Hartwell reported that the Branchville station on the Danbury branch is to have its parking price doubled and that people living in Branchville want priority in access to parking. 

 

In answer to a question about the proposed Georgetown station on the Danbury branch, Mr. Colonese reported that the station was on the drawing board but that the developer had gone bankrupt.  When asked if there was a plan to close the Branchville station if a Georgetown station was built, he said there was no plan to close the Branchville station. 

 

A schedule of meetings for the 2010-11 year was adopted. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.  The next meeting will take place on October 20, 2010, SWRPA, Stamford, CT.

 

Bob Jelley

Secretary

Phone:  (203) 498-4306

E-mail:  rjelley@wiggin.com