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 DECEMBER 17, 2008

SWRPA

Stamford, CT

 

Present were:  Jim Cameron, Chairman; Rodney Chabot, Sue Prosi, Bob Jelley, Jeff Steele, Jeff Maron, Connor Murphy, Chris DeSanctis and Roger Cirella, members of the Council; Gene Colonese and Jeff Parker, CDOT; Jeff Watson, Scott Ornstein, and Joe Kanell, MNR; Jim McKenna, MTA Police; Martin Cassidy, Stamford Advocate; John Austin, Sr., Kristan Tulp, Mitchell Kaufman, and Christine Citerrelle, members of the public.

 

The meeting began at 7:00 pm.

 

The Minutes of the May, September, October, and November meetings were approved.

 

Chairman Jim Cameron reported that at a coastal corridor transportation meeting that he had attended recently, Commissioner of Transportation Marie said that in connection with the turndown in the State’s economy and the budget crisis at the New York MTA, both railroad fares and service cuts were “on the table” and being discussed. 

 

OPERATIONS REPORT

 

Scott Ornstein reviewed the November Operations Report.  Sue Prosi asked about ridership figures for the three Metro North branch lines.  Mr. Ornstein said that Metro North was working on providing such figures. 

 

BRANCH LINE ISSUES

 

It was reported that daily ridership was about 146 on the new earlier train on the Waterbury line.  Capt. McKenna of the MTA Police reported that there had been an arrest of a man who was breaking into cars at the Waterbury station parking lot. 

 

There was a question about work being done on the Danbury branch.  Joe Kanell said that the railroad was replacing ties in the area around Branchville.  Gene Colonese reported that on the previous Friday, the State Bond Commission had approved money for designing a Danbury signal system.  Rodney Chabot asked why it was necessary to redesign the signal system, which has already been redesigned several times.  Bob Jelley suggested that federal legislation growing out of the Los Angeles train collision required a more sophisticated design than what had already been designed.  Mr. Colonese agreed and went on to say that even the New Haven main line signal system might not meet the new federal requirement.  [Several years ago, George Walker of Metro North told the Council that the main line signal system dated from about 1980 and needed updating to permit trains to operate closer together on the line.] 

 

Mr. Colonese said that the DOT had done a lot of work to improve stations on the Danbury line.  Connor Murphy asked whether there would be a vendor at the Wilton station, and Mr. Colonese said the DOT was working on that. 

 

NEW HAVEN RAIL YARD FACILITIES

 

Mr. Cameron asked where the engineering review of the New Haven Rail Yard stood.  Jeff Parker said that he thought the Hill report was almost done.  Mr. Chabot asked if there would be a cutback in the New Haven Yard facilities because of the State finances.  Mr. Parker thought not, but said that it would be necessary to go to the Legislature for more money. 

 

SERVICE CUTS AND FARE INCREASES

 

Mr. Cameron asked about Commissioner Marie’s statement that fares and service cuts were “on the table”.  He commented that the MTA does not control fares in Connecticut.  Mr. Parker spoke of the agreement between MTA and Connecticut that requires an approximately 1/3-2/3 sharing of  net costs of New Haven line service, and said that it was necessary for the State to work through the issues if New York fares are raised.  Mr. Colonese spoke of the possibility of a four train reduction in service.  Mr. Parker said that he was hopeful about retaining all service.  Mr. Chabot suggested that service cuts be on the local service between Stamford and GCT.  Mr. Jelley suggested cutting the four Shore Line East thru trains that run between New Haven and Stamford and letting Amtrak run them instead, resulting in four fewer Metro North trains.  Mr. Parker went on to emphasize that the 1/3-2/3 sharing of net costs is effected if the New York fares and Connecticut fares are not kept approximately equal.  He also said there was no consideration being given on raising Connecticut fares.  Sue Prosi suggested that peak fares apply in both directions during peak periods.  Bob Jelley thought such an arrangement made no sense. 

 

STAMFORD GARAGE

 

Mr. Cameron asked where it stood.  Mr. Parker said that the DOT’s new plan was to issue a request for proposals to get developers to make proposals to develop the land on which the old garage stands, with the development to include a new parking garage and 1,000 temporary parking spots within walking distance while the new development is being built.  He said that three developers have already expressed interest.  In answer to a question from Jeff Maron about walking distances, Mr. Parker said that meant no more than ¼ mile.  Mr. Maron said the parking had to be right at the station, and Mr. Chabot said the same thing.  Mr. Cameron asked about who is going to decide what goes into the request for proposals.  Mr. Parker said there would be a work session with the public in January or February.  Mr. Cameron offered help from the Commuter Council.  Mr. Maron asked if the DOT would do more maintenance on the old garage.  Mr. Parker said that the maintenance will be done but the garage is structurally sound.  Mr. Parker said that three would be a clear decision by the end of 2009, and construction would begin in 2010.  He also said that the request for proposals would be issued in April or May. 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Mr. Cameron said that he had received an email from the Dean of Admissions at Fordham.  He asked why there couldn’t be more New Haven evening peak trains that stopped at Fordham.  Mr. Ornstein said that within the existing schedule during peak hours, it was impossible to have more New Haven line trains stop at Fordham. 

 

Sue Prosi announced that the Town of South Norwalk had spent $600,000 on repairs at the parking garage.  She said a good job had been done and that the parking garage has an email system to notify people when the garage is full.

 

Mr. Cameron said that he had been disappointed by attendance at Rail Council meetings by members.  He spoke of the need to do an Annual Report by January 15.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.

 

The next meeting will take place at SWRPA in Stamford at 7:00 pm. on Wednesday, January 21, 2009.

 

Bob Jelley

Secretary

Phone:  (203) 498-4306

e-mail :  rjelley@wiggin.com