METRO NORTH NEW HAVEN RAIL COMMUTER COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2003 MEETING

 

 

 

The December meeting, held at SACIA offices at One Landmark Square, Stamford, Connecticut began at 7:30 p.m.  The following people were present:

 

Present were:  Members Peter Myers, Rodney Chabot, Chairman, Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman, Jeff Maron, Carl Leaman, Joe McGee, Ed Zimmerman, and Bob Jelley; Harry Harris and Ray Cox from Connecticut DOT; Gene Colonese and Joe Kanell, Metro North Railroad;  Scott Crosby, member of the public and David Gurliacci, Stamford Advocate.

 

The November minutes were approved.

 

STAMFORD STATION

 

Harry Harris stated that the new taxi dispatcher system will commence operation in March or April, 2004.  He went on to say that although the DOT has approved the $2.00 fare surcharge to cover the cost of the dispatcher system, he is considering $1.00, rather than $2.00, because of concerns expressed by taxi drivers. 

 

With respect to the new garage, there was considerable discussion between Jeff Maron and Ray Cox about design issues, particularly with respect to ingress to and egress from the garage.  Once again Jeff Maron requested a copy of the traffic study that preceded the design and construction of the garage.  It was finally concluded that Ray Cox would arrange for Brian Mercure and Keith Hall to come to the Council’s January meeting in New Haven to discuss garage issues. 

 

Ray Cox explained electrical difficulties in installing a train departure monitor and a ticket machine in the pedestrian bridge from the new garage to the platforms. 

 

 

SHORE LINE EAST

 

Harry Harris stated that the contract for the construction of the Branford, Guilford and Clinton stations had been let to Banyon Construction.  The preconstruction meeting is to be held during the week before Christmas.  He stated that the DOT had reached an agreement in principal with Amtrak for lease of the necessary property, and that it was awaiting signature in Washington. 

 

There was a discussion about Shore Line East ridership in November, and Ray Cox said that he would discuss that further at the January meeting. 

 

With respect to the location of additional parking at the Guilford station, Harry Harris said that he had spoken to the new first selectman, who said that the Board of Selectmen continues to support the concept of parking on the Woodruff Farm property.  Bob Jelley reported that the Woodruff Farm neighbors have engaged an attorney to fight the concept, and Harry Harris said that the Guilford station would not be built unless there were 400 parking spaces. 

 

Harry Harris reported that the two Shore Line East thru trains to Stamford are funded through September 2004.  He said that the Transportation Strategy Board would have to decide whether to continue to fund them. 

 

Ray Cox reported that the electric signs at State Street station worked properly for two days, and then failed again.  He said that the DOT would continue to require the supplier to fix them.  [As of January 6, 2004 the signs no longer report the date and time, but merely say “thanks for riding Shore Line East”]. 

 

Harry Harris reported that because city bus fares are rising 10%, Shore Line East monthly tickets with bus will rise $1.00 in price. 

 

 

WATERBURY BRANCH

 

It was reported that there were bogus taxi cabs operating at the Waterbury station.  The drivers of the bogus cabs were reported to be badgering passengers.  It was also reported that there continue to be numerous vehicle break-ins at the Waterbury station parking lot.  Ray Cox said that the DOT was making every effort to have the Metro North police patrol the Waterbury station.  [A day or two following the December meeting, there was a crack-down on bogus cabs at the Waterbury station.]

 

With respect to the issue including the midday bus schedule on the Waterbury train timetable, Harry Harris reported that he wants the Waterbury buses included, but that Metro North’s customer service people do not.  It was, however, reported that the Waterbury buses are included on the small Waterbury schedules, even though not on the complete Metro North – New Haven line schedule. 

 

 

DANBURY BRANCH

 

Jim Cameron reported that he had an e-mail complaint from a passenger about short trains on the Danbury branch.  Metro North reported that there had been both engine and car problems on the Danbury branch. 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW CANAAN BRANCH

 

It was reported that on Sunday December 7th a New Canaan branch train overshot the New Canaan station but that a crane had come quickly and put it back on the tracks. 

 

 

UNCOLLECTED TICKETS

 

Jim Cameron spoke of a number of crowded trains, with numerous standees, and a failure to collect tickets.  Harry Harris said that the failure to collect tickets on crowded trains had always been a problem.  He said that conductors have trouble getting through overcrowded trains.  He also said that it was never clear to him whether much revenue was lost from uncollected tickets on the weekday trains, because so many passengers use monthly tickets.  He said that there was an obvious trade-off between using additional conductors and failing to collect tickets. Cameron countered that the problem wasn’t the crowding on the trains stopping conductors from getting thru, but the conductors’ reluctance to face angry passengers or to issue seat checks.  Joe Kanell said that Metro North was bringing on more supervisors to patrol trains and check on ticket collection.  Gene Colonese reported that cash fares on trains were down 70% since the introduction of higher cash fare penalties.  He said that cash fares used to total about $50 million per year. 

 

 

SHOP BACKLOG

 

It was reported that 18 pairs of cars have been completed under the car rehabilitation program.  They are being completed at the rate of 2 pairs per month.  Mean distance between failures for rehabilitated cars is 180,000 miles, almost twice as much as on un-rehabilitated cars. 

 

Gene Colonese reported that during November 74% of trains had a full complement of cars.  He also reported that ridership was down 0.6% through November, 2003.  He also reported that the Fordham station in the Bronx is the third busiest station after Grand Central Terminal and Stamford. 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Gene Colonese reported that during the December 5-7 snow storm, all of the trains from the Bridgeport yard were moved into Grand Central Terminal tunnel to protect them from icing up.  On Saturday, December 6, there were 50% fewer passengers than usual and the railroad operated a Sunday schedule. 

 

Jim Cameron reported that the Town of Darien has agreed to keep the Noroton Heights waiting room open daily until 5:00 p.m.  Carl Leaman suggested that people ought to contact the selectman of towns along the railroad to keep other station waiting rooms open longer hours. 

 

The meeting adjourned at about 9:30 p.m.

 

 

Bob Jelley

Interim Secretary