Minutes
June 19, 2002
SACIA Offices, Landmark
Square, Stamford CT
1). Minutes of the May meeting were approved
in part subject to the following correction:
As reported:
In the absence of Chairman Rodney
Chabot, the meeting was chaired by Vice Chairman Jim Cameron until 7:20 at
which time Chairman Chabot had arrived.
As corrected:
In the absence of Chairman Chabot,
who was detained by a late arriving AMTRAK train, the meeting was chaired by
Vice Chairman Cameron until Chairman Chabot arrived.
1). CDOT reported that the average daily
ridership on SLE from Old Saybrook to New Haven for May amounted to 1229
passengers. The daily average represents a 4.7 % increase from that of the
comparable prior period. In addition, the on time performance rate for April
was 96.20%, which is down slightly from the Y-T-D rate of 97.3%.
CDOT and Metro North confirmed
that new SLE timetable will have effect on June 24th, and that
timetable includes an additional through train as well as new ½ hour evening
service from New Haven between 4:27 and 6:55pm.
CDOT reported that the State
Street Station is open for service, and approximately 100 passengers a day are
using it. Citing the lack of information, the council again requested that
Metro North provide seat drops to inform passengers of the hours and services
available as well as providing schedules at the station. CDOT indicated that
they would address the issues.
As requested at the last council
meeting, CDOT prepared and gave a presentation on the SLE/NH Rail Service
enhancements. All attending members were given a copy. In addition, CDOT
reported that bids for the 4 new SLE stations were due in mid July 2002. The
new plans call for 400 parking spaces at each station, which will have to be
phased in.
2). Buses were substituted on the Waterbury
line on 2 occasions during the month of May.
The substitutions were equipment and planned maintenance related. On
time performance figures for May were not available. In addition, it was noted
that there were no problems with the Genesis engines currently assigned to the
Waterbury Branch. The Waterbury line had 336 scheduled trains during the month
of May.
3). CDOT reported that busses were
substituted on the Danbury line on 71 occasions in May. The substitutions were the result of
equipment and planned maintenance. No on time performance figures were
available. The Danbury line had 305 scheduled trains during the month of May.
Metro North reported that the bus
service from Ridgefield to Katonah, which was started in April, has had an
increase in ridership. The average daily ridership amounted to approximately
100 passengers. Discussion on the Danbury to Harlem line was deferred until the
next meeting.
CDOT reported that the design
stage of the CTC project has not been finished. It is expected to be finished
in late spring, early fall 2003.
4). CDOT reported that busses were
substituted on the New Canaan branch on 173 occasions. 20 were maintenance
related and 153 were construction (tie-replacement) related. No on time
performance figures for May were available.
Responding to the Grove Street Gate
project, CDOT reported that the crossing gates would be installed by June 26,
2002 and the project would then be complete.
5). Mr. Cox provided the council with an
update on the Stamford Station. Contractors are continuing installation of the
new center island platform and portions of the eastbound side platform. The
catenary contractor continues to address punch list and wire replacement
issues. The project completion is still anticipated for February 2003, but
added that functional use of the amenities may begin as early as this June.
Tracks 3,4 and 5 are open to passengers. Garage foundation work has begun and
the precast concrete work continues.
The parking garage expansion project is expected to be completed in
December 2003. Repairs to the existing elevators and escalators are
substantially complete and are expected to be put into service at the end of
June 2002. Information & directional signs are being modified and replaced
to better reflect the revised layout of the station and to address shortcomings
in the original designs. This includes signs on all the platforms, in the
tunnel and in the concourse. The station manager is addressing the tripping hazard
at the foot of the escalators, which was noted by the council.
6). Vice Chrm.Cameron reported that the
Working Group – Moving People met today. Adding that the groups’ recommendation
was all inclusive, and centered around Rolling Stock, Maintenance Facilities
and adding more services to the main and branch lines.
Vice Chrm. Cameron urged all members
to visit the council and TSB web sites for updates.
7). Metro North reported that there were
approximately 50 cars out of service on an average day. In addition it was
noted that the HVAC work was substantially complete and crews were notified to
report any A/C problems. In addition, Metro North announced that the M-2
rebuild program was to start in September 2002. The program would be to include
2 pairs a month.
8). CDOT reported that the Bar
car-rebuilding program is still under review, with nothing new to report.
9). On behalf of the council Chairman Chabot
thanked Mr. Harris for CDOTS assistance in having the Annual Report printed and
assembled.
Metro North provided the council
with copies of it’s 1st quarter 2002 Customer Satisfaction Survey,
adding that quite cars and cell phones had been addressed.
1). CDOT reported that excessive heat caused
the upper portion of the Norwalk Swing bridge to expand and prevent the bridge
from being seated properly for locking. Metro North mechanics are now in place
prior to all scheduled openings to insure the bridge is properly locked.
Executive Session
In
Executive Session the following motion was submitted by Vice Chairman Cameron,
and unanimously approved.
“Whereas it is important
that the appointees to the Commuter Council
attend meetings and
participate on behalf of the riders they represent
and,
Whereas our enabling legislation
dictates that any member who misses 3
Consecutive meetings, or
50% of all meetings within a calendar year, will
be considered to have
resigned,
Therefore, I move that
after missing 2 consecutive meetings, the
Secretary advise, a member
of their impending resignation. After 3
missed meetings
the Secretary inform the member in writing of their
resignation, and inform
the members appointing authority of their
resignation and seek a
new appointee.”
Respectfully submitted
James N. Mohs
Secretary
|
Rodney Chabot, Chairman |
Eugene Colonese, Metro North |
|
Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman |
Joe Kanell, Metro North |
|
Jim Mohs, Secretary |
Harry Harris, CDOT |
|
Ed. Zimmermann, Council Member |
Raymond F. Cox, CDOT |
|
Peter Myers, Council Member |
Peter Lynch, CDOT |
|
Peter Marcuse, Council Member |
PO Carlos Betandes, Metro North PD |
|
Lee Carlson, Council Member |
Duane Mellor, Madison |
|
Jeff Maron, Council Member |
Scott Crosby, Darien |
|
Fred Chidchester, Metro North |
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