METRO NORTH NEW HAVEN RAIL COMMUTER COUNCIL
(Established in 1985 under Connecticut Public Act 85-239, now Sections 13b-212b and -212c
of the Connecticut General Statutes)
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 15, 2004 MEETING
AT SACIA OFFICES
STAMFORD
The meeting began at 7:30 p.m.
Present were: Chairman Rodney Chabot, Bob Jelley, Carl Leaman, Ed Zimmerman, Jeff Maron, and Joe McGee, Council; Eugene Colonese, J. Grumblatt, and Fred Chidester, Metro North; Carl Bard, Jim Boice, Peter Richter, Jr., Mike Donnarumma and Brenda Jannotta, CT DOT; Sue Prosi and David Kenny, SWRPA; Bill Slocum, New Canaan/Darien Magazine; Mark Ginocchio, Stamford Advocate; and commuter Larry Uydess.
The Minutes of the November 17, 2004 were corrected, and then approved as corrected.
MAIN LINE ISSUES
Gene Colonese reported that during November one-third of the morning peak trains were a car short, and one-quarter of the evening peak trains were also a car short. He said that the on-time performance for November was about 95%. It was also reported that thirty-two pairs of cars have completed their rehabilitation.
SHORE LINE EAST
It was reported that two of the Shore Line East train sets have two Virginia cars in addition to the old cab car and locomotive. It was estimated that within a few weeks, eight to ten Virginia cars would be in service on Shore Line East. The use of the Virginia cars is permitting transfer of the Bombardier cars formerly used on Shore Line East to the main line. The DOT is continuing to look at new and used locomotives for Shore Line East. DOT representatives said that it was not clear if they will reach the goal of having 2,000 new seats on the main line (that having been the purpose of the purchase of the used Virginia cars) by January. Sue Prosi asked the DOT to prepare a fact sheet showing the schedule of putting the Virginia cars into service and the transfer of the replaced Bombardier cars to the main line.
There was discussion of improving the public address system for Shore Line East stations and there was also discussion about Rideworks services in connection with Shore Line East.
WATERBURY BRANCH
Gene Colonese reported that trains were replaced by buses on one day in November because of a locomotive failure. He said that ridership was between 300 and 400 trips on weekdays, 500 on Saturdays, and 400 on Sundays. (These figures count a roundtrip as two trips).
DANBURY BRANCH
Rodney Chabot inquired whether the Danbury and Bethel stations were indeed open at the hours that they are said to be open.
It was reported that there were no bus substitutions during the month of November.
NEW CANAAN BRANCH
Mr. Chabot and representatives of Metro North met at the New Canaan station and agreed that the remnants of the accident a year earlier when a train went through the bumper at the end of the line had not been entirely cleaned up. It will be cleaned up at the same time as a new bumper is installed.
STAMFORD STATION
Peter Richter reported his view that the taxi service, which has been discussed at previous meetings, has been improved. Larry Uydess said that the taxi starter continues to talk to cab drivers rather than managing the line.
Jeff Maron reported that cleaning equipment continues to be stored in the overpass from the new garage. He inquired about whether there was an e-mail method for reporting problems, and Peter Richter said there was not.
NEW CARS FOR THE NEW HAVEN LINE
Carl Bard reported that there were no new developments about money for replacement cars. Joe McGee raised the question of whether it was true that in order to order cars, it was only necessary to pay a low down payment, with the rest of the payment due only upon delivery of the cars. Jim Boice said that it was not true, and that it was necessary to have funding in place in order to order new cars, with progress payments required during the building of the cars. It was further reported that the DOT has made no decision on what cars to order, but it has been decided that new cars will be EMUs. Mr. Boice also said that the DOT is hoping to get money from the legislature to study M-7 and M-8 cars. In answer to a question Mr. Boice said that in order for new cars to be ordered, not only the Connecticut Legislature but also the New York Legislature has to come up with funding for its appropriate share of the cost.
FARE INCREASE
Mr. Bard reported that the Connecticut comment period on those aspects of the MTA fare increase proposal that affected Connecticut (such as increased onboard surcharge, reverse peak in the morning, etc.) had been extended through December 17. He said that the DOT was waiting for the New York MTA to decide on those issues on December 16, and then Connecticut would make its decision on those issues. These MTA proposals are separate from the Connecticut fare increases previously approved which will take effect January 1, 2005.
NEW HAVEN MAINTENANCE SHOPS
Mr. Bard said that the DOT’s plan for additional maintenance shops in New Haven would be announced on the following Tuesday. [Instead of a takeover of the Amtrak maintenance shop, as discussed earlier, the DOT proposed on Tuesday construction of a temporary new maintenance shop and planning for a permanent new maintenance shop.]
There was discussion of the 18 evening trains affected by wires down on Monday, December 13, and it was reported that service was back to normal on Tuesday morning. On the day of the meeting, 3 morning trains were canceled, one because of weather; and there were 16 late peak trains because of signal problems, relay problems and drawbridge problems.
WRIGHT TECH STUDENTS
Gene Colonese reported that he had, since the last meeting, ridden the 2:07 train from Grand Central Terminal and had seen once again the problems on that train after Stamford. He described it as a “difficult” train. He said that Metro North continues to participate in assemblies at the school to discuss train conduct. Bob Jelley raised the question of why there were no regulations proscribing improper conduct on the train, similar to those in effect on the New York City subways and buses, and Mr. Colonese explained that Metro North management feels that it is better for conductors to handle problems as they arise.
NEW BUSINESS
DANBURY BRANCH STUDY
The DOT reported that it is studying reelectrification of the Danbury branch and either double-tracking the line or at least providing passing sections. Mr. Chabot emphasized the importance of electrification, because diesel locomotives cannot start fast enough after station stops. Mr. Jelley raised the question of signals for the Danbury branch, and the DOT said that the new steel posts planned for carrying the wires necessary for signals would also be able to hold a catenary. Mr. Boice reported that one aspect of the electrification study would be to consider electrifying both the Danbury and Waterbury branches from the main line to the Merritt Parkway, with “mega” stations with a great deal of parking at the Parkway.
WESTPORT RAILROAD STATION
Mr. Boice reported that the westbound station at Westport was completed on December 14, and the eastbound station would be completed in March 2005.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m., the next meeting will be Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in New Haven.
Bob Jelley, Secretary
