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 21, 2011
SWRPA
STAMFORD, CT
Present were: Jim Cameron, Chairman, Bob Jelley, Rodney Chabot, Jeff Maron, Laura Cordes, Luke Schnirring, Mitch Fuchs, John Hartwell, Jeff Maron, Terri Cronin, Sue Prosi, Tim Beeble and Roger Cirella, members of the Council; Gene Colonese, DOT; Sue Doering and John Longobardi, Metro North; Martin Cassidy, Stamford Advocate; John Austin, Member of the Public.
The Minutes of the meeting on August 24th were approved as corrected.
M-8s
John Longobardi reported that there were 38 M-8s here. He said that they were running well. In answer to a question from Sue Prosi, he said that the schedule was still on target for receiving 60 by the year end. He said that they were expecting deliveries of 10 per month.
FARE INCREASES
Gene Colonese said that the DOT was still looking at the material from their hearings and the various letters and emails they had received. Laura Cordes said that there had been lots of people at the New London hearing. Mr. Cameron said that the DOT did well in having so many hearings. Mr. Colonese said that they were hoping for a decision soon so that they would be able to put changes into effect on November 1st. He also said that the Governor will look at what the DOT plans to recommend.
HURRICANE IRENE
Mr. Longobardi said that the railroad did well during the hurricane, because it didn’t run trains. He wished they could have started service earlier on the Monday after the hurricane. Mr. Chabot asked where the trains had been kept during the hurricane, and Mr. Longobardi said that a lot of them were at GCT or in the Park Avenue tunnel. In answer to another question, he said that neither the Stamford nor the New Haven yard flooded during the hurricane. Mr. Cameron commented that communications had been excellent during the storm. Members of the Council who commented seemed to think that the storm had been handled well. In answer to a question, Mr. Longobardi said that the East Side Access facilities at GCT, which are deep underground, survived just fine and did not flood. In answer to another question, Mr. Longobardi said that there couldn’t be busing on the branch lines because roads were blocked.
PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS
Council members looked at a redraft of a passenger bill of rights, which arose out of the train stranding in Westport on July 22nd. There was much discussion of what a “significant disruption” was, and whether the term “15 minutes” should be substituted. Ms. Prosi raised the question of how a bill of rights could be implemented, and Mr. Cameron said it would require approval and agreement by Metro North and the DOT. Mr. Longobardi said that the proposed bill of rights pretty much says what the railroad tries to do, and much of it is already in the conductors’ manual. It was agreed to give it to the members of the Council to further comment on the redraft and then have the subcommittee revise the redraft and send it off to MNR and DOT.
STAMFORD GARAGE
Jeff Maron reported that Republic, the new operator of the Stamford garage is closing the garage earlier and sending people to other Republic parking facilities that are more expensive. Mr. Colonese said that the DOT told Fusco to keep its subcontractor, Republic, in line and not close the garage to send parkers elsewhere. Mr. Colonese went on to say that they were doing some maintenance work in the garage and they are preparing a request for proposals for a replacement of the old garage. Mr Maron requested that CDoT inform the Council when the RFP is complete and to provide the council with a copy and Mr Colonese agreed to do so.
BICYCLE RACKS IN CARS
Bob Jelley described the two different kinds of bicycle racks that were installed in M-8 cars 9108 and 9109 and displayed at Union Station and at GCT. He said that each had problems depending on various accessories that were attached to individual bicycles, but that he thought that Option A was better than Option B. There was some discussion of the fact that wheelchairs have priority in the area with the bicycle racks, but some rules have to be established for priority as between passengers who want to use the fold-down seats and bicycle owners who want to put bicycles in the racks.
RIDERSHIP PROJECTIONS
Projections suggest that Metro North ridership will surpass LIRR ridership. Mr. Cameron asked how, if ridership increases, the DOT is going to deal with station parking. Mr. Colonese said that he would check on that and report back.
MAIN LINE ISSUES
Mr. Fuchs asked about the projected opening of the new Fairfield metro station. Mr. Colonese said that they were still working on parking, but expects it to open some time between the end of October and mid November.
Mr. Chabot asked about the cancellation of an express train from Stamford to New York City on September 17th. Mr. Longobardi said that it was a pantograph issue.
Mr. Colonese reported that there will be no quiet car test on the Danbury branch but instead will be on electric trains on the New Haven line. There was discussion of whether the quiet car should be the front car going inbound and therefore the last car outbound, or visa versa. Ms. Prosi suggested that it ought to be the car at the New Haven end of the train. Mr. Colonese said that it ought to be an interesting test. Mr. Cameron said that, as to talking in a quiet car, the general rule was that one’s voice should be no louder than in a library.
Terri Cronin and Luck Schnirring discussed the closure of the coffee house at the East Norwalk station. They said that it no longer provided coffee and other food but was open with no services. Mr. Prosi said the City parking authority has cleaning and security authority over the space. It was agreed that Mr. Cameron, Ms. Cronin and Mr. Schnirring would do a revision of a letter describing the problem.
BRANCH LINE ISSUES
Roger Cirella asked about bridge work on the Waterbury line. Mr. Colonese said that work on four bridges was planned for May, 2012. Mr. Cirella suggested running trains as far as Seymour and not canceling all service.
Mr. Chabot asked about electrifying the Danbury line as a shovel-ready project and Mr. Colonese said that DOT was looking at all possible projects. He went on to say that work on the installation of the signal system on the Danbury line was proceeding on schedule.
Ms. Cordes and Mr. Colonese discussed the DOT’s report on bridge closings between Old Saybrook and New London. Mr. Jelley commented on his observation of bridge closings, and said that he believed that bridges could be closed for a shorter length of time than they commonly are.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Cameron was re-elected Chairman for another year and Mr. Jelley was re-elected Secretary.
There was discussion and adoption of a proposed meeting schedule for 2011-2012.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at SWRPA in Stamford, CT.
Bob Jelley
Secretary
Phone: (203) 498-4306
E-mail: rjelley@wiggin.com
