CT METRO-NORTH, SHORE LINE EAST RAIL COMMUTER COUNCIL
MEETING
Wednesday, November 20, 2002
Mr. Rodney Chabot called the meeting to order at 6:45
pm. The October minutes were approved as corrected.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Shoreline East Issues:
a.
Train delay and
cancellation problems experienced in the early part of this month were
explained due to only one track operating due to construction and a rock
slide. This condition has been resolved
and two rails are now operating
b.
State Street Station
informational problems in connection to the above were explained due to a lack
of staff and no announcements being made.
A temporary visual announcement board was erected to aid in conveying information. In addition, an audio and visual
announcement system is to be installed shortly. The goal is to put this system in operation at all the Shoreline
East stations.
c.
There are still speed
restrictions on the two operating tracks.
One at 40 MPH and the other at 70 MPH.
d.
AMTRAK has been doing a
good job in dealing with the annual Fall Leaf Slip Slide track conditions.
In addition, they are operators of the State Street Station and are
responsible for notifying customers of problems. The new visual announcement board is tied into the New Haven
Union station ticket office.
e.
Shoreline East October
Average Daily Ridership was 1,522 Roundtrips, an increase of 30.06% from a year
ago. YTD Average Daily Ridership is
1,329, a 13.37% increase. On time performance was 86.40% for September, a 9.75%
decrease for the month and
95.73%
YTD (-0.41%). Predictions are that, due
to track work, November OTP will be lower.
f.
It should be noted that
ridership has increase from Branford, Madison and Guilford Stations and that some additional parking has
been added at these locations.
2. Waterbury Branch Issues:
a. There were no bus substitutions last month. However, currently there is bridge maintenance work taking place and buses are
being used between Waterbury, Naugautuck and Bridgeport. This project is scheduled to be completed by
5:00 PM, November 21, 2002 with track service being reinstated.
b. A proposal to possibly build a new railroad station
in Waterbury has been raised by the Naugatuck Valley Development Committee. The Ct. State Bonding Commission has granted
$ 150,000 of study money. This item
will be discussed in more depth at the next meeting and questions will be
presented to CDOT prior to the meeting.
3. Danbury Branch Issues:
4. Stamford Station Update:
a. The new garage is scheduled to open at the beginning
of January 2003.
b. It has been determined that the existing garage needs
a lot more additional work than originally estimated. Initial renovation problems have turned into major
problems. Minimal repairs will be
undertaken and an outside consultant will come in and access the new
problems. According to Harry Harris of
CDOT the old garage will need major rehab work, forcing the closing of the old
garage for a year or more.
c. CDOT will look into questions raise regarding Traffic
Flow Patterns when exiting the new and old garages.
d. CDOT planning to open all tracks by late February
early March 2003 upon completition of Center Island Platform project.
e. New Information Monitors are to be installed as soon
as they arrive from overseas manufacturer. Currently in US Customs. The question of installing a monitor for
people exiting the new parking garage into the station was raised. It is to be looked into by CDOT.
5. Shop Backlog Update & Rehab Program:
a. Currently averaging 40-50 cars in shop per day for
various mechanicals. That’s 14.5% of the fleet unavailable for service each
day.
b. Winter preparatory work continues.
c. It will take 14 Months to repair the 3 cars damaged
on Shoreline East by rockslide with an anticipated cost of $1.4 million.
6. Bar Cars Rebuilding Plans:
a. The Council’s Sub-Committee is still awaiting set of
plans for review and comment.
7. New Ticket Machine Sunshine Glare:
a. Metro North plans on turning alignment of
machines over the next 3 to 4 months. This
should also help in queing lines.
b. Council members are to check machines and advise Gene
Colonese of Metro North of any problems
at their stations.
8. Status O New Car Orders:
a.
No funds are currently
in place to order new cars. TSB
(Transportation Strategy Board) will be making recommendations within 3-4
months, and then the Governor and Legislators need to appropriate money.
9. Other:
a.
Jim Cameron commented
on the TSB and it’s planned recommendations and seeing Rail as crucial part of
the overall State of Connecticut’s Transportation Strategy. Among the expected
recommendations: more cars, more yards
and maintenance facilities, more service, platform extensions at older stations
to handle 10 car trains, possible electrification of branch lines up to Merritt
Parkway and establishment of hub stations there to draw drivers of the road.
a.
Problem a result of a
pantagraph damaged by old overhead wires that then affected the New overhead
wires. A pantagraph issue that has been
corrected.
2. Impact of Proposed LIRR – MNRR Merger:
a. All affected bodies are looking for more
information and input into the process of this proposed merger.
b.
The impact will be on
financial/legal/operating/personnel resources of the affected bodies and the
ridership.
c.
CDOT is asking to be in
the loop and involved in the decision with a vote on the MTA Board.
3. New Haven Coliseum Parking:
a.
Garage is closing
12/1/02 and the general public has been and will continue to be given public
notice through various means.
Alternative parking will be offered at Temple St. lot for $65 per month
(vs. $35 at Coliseum). Shuttle service
to the Union Station will be run by NH Parking Authority with costs subsidized
by CDOT with monies yet to be found.
4. Darien Station Parking Rate Increase:
a. Jim Cameron discussed a proposed rate increase at the Darien and Noroton Hts parking lots and his investigations into where the money does and does not go. According to CDOT, the Town’s lease to operate the parking facilities mandates that money must first be used to pay for upkeep of the station. Mr. Cameron pointed out that while the old Darien station has just completed a multi-million dollar rehab, at State expense, the Noroton Hts station which carries more passengers is streaked with rust, covered in mold, with a waiting room open only 15% of the time… yet the Town of Darien nets $260,000 in parking fees at that station alone.
b.
It was proposed that
Mr. Cameron continue to look into the issues being raised and if “The Commuters
are being served”. This proposal was
passed unanimously by the members present.
5. Other:
a. The Train Conductors Union contract is running out at the end of the year and no negotiations have started. However, Gene Colonese of MNR pointed out that both sides had submitted their preliminary “Section 6” Notices of changes effecting Work Rules and Wages. He anticipates that negotiations should begin shortly.
b.
Mr. Colonese also
pointed out that a possible NYC Transit Strike was looming. December 15, 2002
is the date.
c.
The Council thanked Mr.
Colonese for organizing the meeting at Grand Central Station and making all the
arrangement for the sandwiches and refreshments that were served for dinner.
d. Following the meeting Council Members
toured various operation and training facilities in Grand Central Station and boarded the 9:07 Express
for Stamford.
Respectfully Submitted:
(signed)
Peter D. Millard, Acting Secretary
Attendance – The
following Council members were present at this meeting:
Mr. Rodney Chabot – Chairman Mr.
Jim Cameron – Vice Chairman
Mr. Bob Jelley Mr. Carl Leaman
Mr. Peter Marcuse Mr.
Jeffrey Maron
Mr. Peter S. Meyers Mr. Peter D. Millard
Mr. Ed Zimmerman
The following CDOT (Connecticut Department of
Transportation) personnel were
present:
Mr. Harry P. Harris Mr.
Raymond Cox
Mr. Mike Donnarumma
The following Metro North Railroad personnel were
present:
Mr. Eugene Colonese Mr. Ted Bowen
Mr. Fred Chidester
