Minutes
December 19,
2001
1). Minutes of the November Meeting were approved in part, subject to the following revision:
Item 2). Old Business
Reads:
"It was suggested that SLE stations be open more than the present four hours daily, especially during
the winter when passengers need their shelter. Harry Harris reported that bidding for the $30 million stations
project is being reopened, because initial bids were to high and CDOT want to award a single contract for all stations.”
Revised:
“Harry Harris reported that bidding for the $30 million stations project was being reopened, because the initial bids
were too high. He further indicated that the bids were higher than anticipated due to the contractors only being allowed
to work a four-hour, late evening schedule.”
1). Both Chairman Chabot and Vice Chairman Cameron took the opportunity to congratulate CDOT
on a job well done handling the derailment on the New Canaan Line. Mr. Cox reported that the
cause of the derailment as human error on the part of 3 separate train crews. He further reported
that Metro North had removed the passengers of the stricken train within 10 minutes of the
accident.
2). Harry Harris reported that his goal for 2002 was to integrate both the SLE and NH lines into
one system. On December 17, 2001 the systems integration began with the first through train
from Old Saybrook to Stamford. He added that schedules will have to be adjusted, but we will
build on this. Metro North reported that the train carried 89 passengers.
Vice Chairman Cameron questioned why the train stopped in Stamford and did not proceed to
GCT. Mr. Harris indicated that the equipment would not run in GCT and at this point the equipment was
needed elsewhere on the line.
Vice Chairman Cameron questioned the $1 million cost of the train. Metro North responded that
the cost of the train crew alone was $350,000, fuel, maintenance and other costs make up the
Difference.
Vice Chairman Cameron indicated that Mr. Harris stated at the last meeting that no SLE trains would be cancelled
due to budget cuts, Mr. Harris responded that one late evening train out of New Haven to Old Saybrook was
cancelled due to ridership.
Vice chairman Cameron indicated that the council had received numerous complaints relating
to dirty cars. He further indicated that there were 7 Amtrak / SLE employee layoffs in New Haven, one of which
was a car cleaner. He further asked if the cars could be cleaned in Stamford. Metro North responded that crews in
Stamford would wash all cars at least once a week. In addition, it was noted that the New Haven carwash equipment
was out of service for most of the summer. In addition, when the temperature goes below 32 degrees, the New Haven
carwash must be shut down.
Council Member Jelley questioned why the through train returned to Old Saybrook at 10:30 am.
Mr. Harris indicated that the return sets the stage for other SLE option. Further adding that
train gets out there but doesn’t return.
Council Member Marcuse questioned if this train was the council’s recommendation, and if not should the council
have been included in the decision. Mr. Cox indicated that the council was not included in the decision.
Council Member Marcuse indicated that there appears to be a lack of foresight in planning. He stated that of the 50 things
that could be done to support service, when only one is done for a $ 1 million, should we set priorities. Mr. McGee
responded that the council’s function is to add input to transit. Adding, the issue is how much more in taxes are people
willing to spend to improve the transportation system.
Council Member Jelley inquired about the PA and parking at the Westbrook station. Mr. Cox indicated that DOT was
having difficulty negotiating for land in Westbrook. Additionally, the issue of the PA system only working on track 2
should be resolved with the new station.
3). Mr. Donnarumma reported that busses were substituted on 4 occasions during the month of November on the Waterbury
branch. The substitutions required were crew related and not equipment related.
Council Member Marcuse indicated that the parking lot at the Waterbury station needs to be
cleaned up and secured. Captain McLaughlin indicated he would speak to the Waterbury Police to
have the patrols stepped up.
4). Mr., Harris reported that the CTC signal system is still in redesign for the Danbury branch. He further expects the redesign
to take 4 to 6 months. Upon completion of the redesign, the project will be available for re-bid.
Metro North reported a problem with the placement of a circuit breaker on the Genesis engines.
The main breaker is located in the high voltage cabinet. When the breaker is tripped, the train crew
is precluded from resetting it without outside assistance. Metro North has advised the council that the engines are being
sent back to the shop for relocation of the switch.
Mr. Harris reported that CDOT has agreed on a consultant to study the re-electrification of the Danbury Line. However the
scope of the work still needs to be defined. Accordingly, no contract has been issued.
5). Mr. Donnarumma provided the council with an update on the Stamford Station Center Island and Washington Boulevard
Bridge Replacement. He reported that during November Span Poles, Span Wires and Traffic Signal Controllers installed
and made operational as part of the bridge replacement. In addition the east escalator and related canopy poles were set on the
center island. In addition, he supplied a detailed status report, which was prepared by CDOT.
Captain McLaughlin reported, that he has been advised, that the City of Stamford will not plow or shovel snow around the
Transportation Center between 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM. Mr. Harris indicated that he would contact CDOT to see what could be done.
Council Member Marcuse requested the council to contact the city on the snow removal issue. The following motion was made.
So Moved:
“The City of Stamford be
advised, that the failure to plow and remove snow around the Transportation
Center will
cause serious problems to the commuters. ”
The motion was Approved and Seconded; (by Vice Chairman Cameron who noted that he would draft the letter to Stamford’s mayor
along with Chmn Chabot).
6). Mr. Harris reported that TSB is up and running. The TIA (Transportation Investment Agency) scheduled meetings through out the year,
issued reports and input to The TSB.
Vice Chairman Cameron, who is an elected member of the Coastal Corridor TIA, spoke further about the group’s work, including the
report it issued November 15th to the TSB which included many recommendations for rail investments in the state. Cameron lamented
the media’s inaccurate coverage of the TSB’s Interim report, including a suggestion of electronic tolls on some highways as a traffic
mitigation device. Because of the inaccurate reporting, Gov. Rowland, Speaker Lyons and others have already come out with critical
remarks about the TSB. Cameron said that the TSB and the TIA’s must undertake a public input and education campaign if any of
these recommendations are to be accepted.
7). Mr. Cox reported that there were 36 cars in the shop backlog. Upon the council’s questioning it was further determined that there were
an additional 5 cars out of service in Stamford. The total was therefore 41 cars out for service. Mr. Cox indicated that a large number of
cars were part of the M-2 overhaul program. The council again reiterated its concern over the number of cars out of service, considering
the winter problems that we usually encounter. Mr. Cox indicated that returning the cars to service is the second highest priority after
catenary replacement. When questioned he concluded that priorities are limited to the amount of funding available.
Vice Chairman Cameron questioned if it was acceptable
to have 10% of the railroad’s operating fleet out of service at any given time
and
CDOT
officials said that was an industry average.
8). Mr. Harris reported that the South Central Council of Governments voted 9-6 to endorse support of West Haven as the location for the
proposed Orange/West haven Station. He indicated that CDOT would move forward with the required environmental study. The
study will entail test boring and sample drilling. In addition, he reinforced that there was no funding for design in the contract.
9). Mr. Cox reported that lighting at all New Haven Line stations will reviewed and updated as found necessary. He also added, that
Fairfield will fund approximately $65 K of repairs.
10). Mr. Colonese reported that the customer satisfaction survey was taken on 12/9/01 which covered week-end passengers and on 12/5 and
12/6 which covered week day passengers. He indicated that the results are being tabulated and will be forwarded to the council in mid January.
1). Mr. Cox reported that on December 12, 2001 at approximately 3:27 PM there was a catenary/substation failure on track 4 in
front of the Stamford Yard Office. He indicated that an M and E crew while attempting to raise a pantograph caused a dead ground
which was followed by an electrical failure. Power did not shut down for approximately 30 seconds. This caused the reports of wires
arcing, burning and glowing etc. After approximately 27 minutes the protective relays at Norwalk, Darien and Stamford operated
which removed the flow of current into the downed wire.
Mr. Cox provided the council with a detailed preliminary report on the incident.
The incident is under investigation. Vice Chmn Cameron noted that reports he had heard unofficially from railroad staffers were that the
accident cost would be about $3 million.
2). Chairman Chabot indicated that there was no room for Metro North trains at Penn Station. He further indicated that the New Jersey
Transit has an eye on any available space/time slots. Chairman Chabot said he would continue attending meetings about the LIRR
East Side Access plan for GCT as well as the Penn Station Access plan for MNRR.
3). Mr. Harris discussed the CDOT Branding Program. The program is a marketing/brand identification program, which is intended to
change peoples’ perception of public transportation. He discussed the use of focus groups to ascertain consumer sentiment regarding
service, dirty cars and a variety of other issues. The concept of a name change was also part of the program. One name that was being
tested was CONNEX, though Vice Chairman Cameron questioned why such a name was even being tested given that it was the
trademarked name of an existing transportation firm.
4). Vice Chairman Cameron reported that there are an increasing number of customer complaints relating to dirty cars. Mr. Colonese advised
that part of the problem is that much of the equipment has a short turn around at GCT, and more often than not there in not adequate time to
have the cars completely cleaned before they are returned to service.
Chairman Chabot added that with the Metro North campaign for rider courtesy, if passengers would pick up their papers and cups, dirty cars
would be less of an issue. Vice Chmn Cameron asked why such announcements were not being made regularly, especially on trains where the
crew knows a short turn-around will not allow cleaning.
5). Council Member Marcuse raised a variety of issues regarding the councils’ responsibilities and whom the council represents and the CDOT
cost sharing agreement with MTA.
While in the process of discussion, there was an electrical failure in the SACIA offices, which led to the ending of the meeting. Accordingly,
no meaningful notes were taken following the electrical failure.
Respectfully submitted
James N. Mohs
Secretary
Rodney Chabot, Chairman John Hogan, Metro North
Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman John Longobardi, Metro North
Jim Mohs, Secretary Captain Sean McLaughlin, MTA Police
Peter Millard, Council Member John Tierney, Transit Check
Carl Leaman, Council Member Joe Magee, SACIA\Council
Stephanie Harwood, Council Member Jeffrey White, Commuter, Westport
Peter Marcuse, Council Member John Hickey, SWRPA
Bob Jelley, Council Member Jim O’Keefe, Stamford Advocate
Raymond Cox, CDOT Ted Bowen, Metro North
Mike Donnarumma, CDOT Eugene Colonese, Metro North
Harry Harris, CDOT
NOTICE OF NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday January 16, 2002 at the CDOT offices, Union Station New Haven
at 7:00PM
