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 21, 2005 MEETING

UNION STATION

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

 

 

The meeting began at 6:00 pm.

 

Present were:  Chairman Rodney Chabot, Vice Chairman Jim Cameron, Bob Jelley, Carl Leaman, Jeff Maron, Members of the Council; Gene Colonese, Elijah Servance, and Phil Wilhelmy, Metro North Railroad; Peter Richter and Carmine Trotta, Connecticut DOT; Sue Prossi, SWERPA; and Albert Song, Member of the Public.

 

The minutes of the November 16, 2005 meeting were approved.

 

MONTHLY OPERATIONS

 

Gene Colonese presented the November figures on the New Haven line and Shore Line East operations.  He said that some of the numbers were preliminary.  In connection with the increase in Shore Line East ridership, Bob Jelley expressed the opinion that at least in part, the increase is accounted for by potential commuters choosing to live near the stations so that they can take advantage of rail commuting. 

 

RAIL SECURITY

 

Jim Cameron reported that the meeting in Darien on railroad security was a good meeting.  He said that it was reported that security people walked the Park Avenue tunnel each morning before the commencement of railroad operations.  Jeff Maron reported on the extensive use of cameras  in the London subway.  Peter Richter said that the DOT was looking at this option.  Rodney Chabot raised the question of the possible use of motion detectors in the Park Avenue tunnel during hours that the railroad is not in operation.  Phil Wilhelmy said that in addition to security people, maintenance people provide additional eyes and ears in the tunnel.  Mr. Colonese said that the MTA was looking at various security technologies involving cameras. 

 

MAIN LINE ISSUES

 

Mr. Maron reported that commuter trains were less crowded during the New York City Transit strike than he had expected.  He said that businesses in downtown New York City were running buses from Grand Central Terminal.  He thought things were going well.  Mr. Colonese said that Metro North had brought in 50% more people to New York City the day of the meeting than normal.  Carl Leaman asked whether the railroad unions had expressed concern about the extra trains within New York City during the strike.  Mr. Colonese said that they had not. 

 

SHORE LINE EAST

 

Mr. Jelley suggested that there ought to be a sign at the Guilford station on the north side of the tracks telling passengers that all trains stop at the south platform.

 

NEW CANAAN BRANCH

 

Mr. Chabot reported that people on the New Canaan branch liked the new late-night train. 

 

WATERBURY BRANCH

 

Mr. Chabot questioned the number of bus substitutions on the Waterbury branch and Mr. Colonese opined that they were because of unavailability of equipment.  He said he would report the reason at the January meeting

 

DANBURY BRANCH

 

Mr. Chabot reported that he had gone to the hearing in Wilton on the Danbury branch study.  He said that people were not happy with the number of stops that Danbury branch thru-trains made on the main line.  Carmine Trotta, in reporting on a different hearing on the Danbury branch study, said that it was clear that people between Danbury and New Milford wanted service extended to New Milford.  Mr. Chabot questioned the slow speed that study personnel said was the highest possible speed above Danbury, and suggested that higher speeds were possible on the existing track.

 

FLEET REPLACEMENT

 

Mr. Richter reported that the request for proposals had gone out and that a contract was expected to be awarded in the spring.  He further reported that when production starts, the State would like delivery of 10-20 cars per month.  Mr. Richter also reported that the State had gone out with another request for proposals for six dual-mode locomotives, with the possibility of two additional orders of five locomotives each.  The opening of the responses is planned for June.  The State is also ordering seven multi-purpose diesel locomotives.  Mr. Richter also reported that a request for proposals had gone out, with an opening set of January 19, for the work required on the Virginia cars.  A contract is expected to be awarded by March 1, with work to be completed in June, 2007. 

 

In response to a request by Mr. Maron, Mr. Richter said members of the Council would be able to be included in sessions for communicating on the design of the new cars.

 

NEW HAVEN REPAIR SHOP

 

Mr. Richter reported that construction was going well, and the facility is expected to be open in fall, 2006.  A question was raised of having a meeting in the spring of 2006 to view the new facility. 

 

METRO NORTH’S UNION NEGOTIATIONS

 

In answer to a question, Mr. Colonese reported that Metro North is still negotiating with many of its seventeen unions, who are working without a contract.  He said that the engineers, conductors, train dispatchers, yardmasters, and signalmen have signed new contracts.  In answer to a question from Mr. Jelley about DOT’s participation in Metro North labor matters, Mr. Richter said that the DOT was kept informed of labor negotiations but did not participate. 

 

CONTRACT WITH AMTRAK FOR OPERATION OF SHORE LINE EAST

 

Mr. Richter said that the extension of DOT’s contract with Amtrak went only until January 31, 2006.  Negotiations are continuing.  He said that there was new federal legislation authorizing the U.S. DOT to establish how Amtrak gets paid for services. 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

In answer to a question, Mr. Colonese speculated that the satisfaction survey showing lower satisfaction on the New Haven line was probably due to contrast with the new cars on the Harlem and Hudson lines.

 

Mr. Richter said that the order for new cars will include 10-12 bar cars. 

 

Mr. Leaman reported that there was a 42-minute gap during the morning peak period for stops at Green’s Farms, and suggested that a stop be added.  Mr. Maron said that there was no express train from Stamford to GCT between 5:50 am and 6:20 am, and suggested that one ought to be added. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.  

 

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. at SACIA offices in Stamford.

 

Bob Jelley

Secretary

 

 

(February 1, 2006 revision)