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 FEBRUARY 20, 2008

GREENWICH BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUB

GREENWICH, CT

 

 

Present were:  Jim Cameron, Chairman; Rodney Chabot, Sue Prosi, Terri Cronin, Chris DeSanctis, Jeff Maron and Bob Jelley, members of the Council; Gene Colonese and Al Martin, CDOT; Joe Kanell, Scott Ornstein, John Longobardi and Jeff Watson, MNRR; Paul Settelmeyer,  Vince DeMarco, Peter Berg, Lisa Bailey and Drew Todd, Members of the Public; Hoa Nguyen, Greenwich Times. 

 

The meeting began at 7:00 pm.  The minutes of the January meeting were approved with corrections.

 

Jim Cameron reported that he had been in touch with legislators about the five vacant seats on the Council. 

 

GREENWICH ISSUES

 

There was a question about Stamford to GCT local trains being chronically late in arriving at Greenwich Station.  Gene Colonese pointed out that when New Haven to Stamford trains are late in arriving at Stamford, that makes the Stamford to GCT local trains late in leaving Stamford, because they have to wait for the New Haven train at Stamford.  He went on to say that frequently the local trains, even when they start late, arrive in GCT on time. 

 

There was also a question as to whether there was a difference between on-time performance between trains on the inner New Haven line vs. trains on the outer New Haven line.  Jeff Watson said that he could supply information on that subject. 

 

Another Greenwich resident asked whether it was planned, after receipt of the new M-8 cars, to keep some of the older cars in order to increase service.  Mr. Colonese said that was the plan. 

 

Mr. Colonese reported, in connection with questions about improved Greenwich service, that a study of improvements on the signal system was already under way, and that an improved signal system would permit additional service.  Scott Ornstein said that Metro North was studying service requirements on the New Haven line for 2030. 

 

There was much discussion of the need for additional parking at railroad stations.  Mr. Cameron said that there was no additional parking being planned for stations from the New York State line to Fairfield. 

 

A Greenwich commuter raised a question of lighting at the Greenwich Station and on the stairways leading to it.  He said that the lights interfered with driving near the station, and suggested that shielding be looked at. 

 

 

MAIN LINE ISSUES

 

Terri Cronin raised the question of parking at South Norwalk and East Norwalk stations.  She said that, as opposed to annual passes, it was necessary to print out monthly passes for South Norwalk at the beginning of each month.  She also said that there was a waiting list for passes for East Norwalk but that there are empty spaces in the parking lot. Mr. Colonese said that the parking garage at South Norwalk was owned by the City of Norwalk, and that East Norwalk parking lot was leased to the City by the State.  He said that the DOT was working with Norwalk on parking issues.  Mr. Cameron suggested that Ms. Cronin, Mr. Colonese and he ought to meet with officials of the Town of Norwalk.  Al Martin suggested that the Regional Planning Organization also ought to join in such a meeting. 

 

A commuter from Fairfield said that in early February, the waiting room was closed because the ticket agent was sick.  Metro North agreed to check on that. 

 

Mr. Cameron announced that the Governor had announced that the Southport station will be rebuilt to its original design, because there is no need to raze the station.  Rodney Chabot raised the question of gutter and leader design, which he said was not well done at some stations. 

 

A Bridgeport commuter raised the question of the walkways to the new parking garage.  Mr. Colonese said that maintenance responsibility as between the City and the State was still being discussed.  He also said that there were punch list items that had not been completed. 

 

 

JANUARY OPERATIONS REPORT

 

Scott Ornstein discussed the January Operations Report, and mentioned that there was 100% on-time performance on one weekday during January and on one weekend during January.  In answer to a question, he said that the term “annulment” means that the train never started, and that “termination” means that the train terminated on its route. 

 

 

BRANCH LINE ISSUES

 

A Shore Line East rider said that there was poor recent performance, with trains late and missed connections at New Haven.  Mr. Colonese said that there were infrastructure issues, including failing concrete ties, that have to be replaced and rail problems on bridges.  These have required trains to move more slowly.  There were also mechanical issues with locomotives. 

 

There was also a question about no announcements of late trains and canceled trains at Branford station.  Bob Jelley said the same problem existed at Guilford and suggested that there were too many agencies involved with making announcements:  Amtrak, DOT, and Rideworks.  He suggested that one agency ought to be fully responsible for announcements.  Mr. Colonese said that he was trying to get Amtrak to take over the entire job of making announcements on Shore Line East. 

 

Mr. Chabot reported that there is now a telephone at the Talmadge Hill station, but there is no telephone at the New Canaan station.  He also asked about the closed waiting rooms at Danbury and Bethel stations.  Mr. Colonese said that the Danbury police plan to open the Danbury station and that he believed that Bethel is now open.  

 

Mr. Colonese reported that the new diesel locomotives had not yet arrived.  Mr. Chabot asked about the paint scheme shown in a photograph.  He said that the black front of the locomotive was dangerous, because it made the locomotive less visible.  Mr. Colonese said that he would check on the paint scheme.

 

 

M-8 CARS

 

Mr. Cameron mentioned the photographs of the M-8 prototype being built in Japan.  He noted that the Governor’s announcement said that seats would have electric plugs for computers and wondered if this was correct. 

 

Mr. Cronin raised the question of the six seats (three seats facing three seats) and asked why we hadn’t gotten the results of the seat drops on this issue.  Mr. Watson said that he would report at the March meeting.  Mr. Chabot noted that there was only one window in the front corner of an M-8 car.  Mr. Ornstein said that there was an electronics cabinet occupying some of the space in that corner, and that the door pocket occupies additional space, leaving room for only one window.  Mr. Colonese said that he expected that about 30 cars would be delivered by the end of 2009.

 

There was discussion of the new acceptance or maintenance facility for M-8 cars in New Haven.  Mr. Martin said that the DOT was now concentrating on phases 1A and 1B, which would be finished in 2014-15.  Phase 2 will be finished in 2017-18.  He said that the DOT now has from the Legislature most of the  money for phase 1A and that it will go to the Legislature for more money for the facility next year. 

 

 

STAMFORD GARAGE

 

Mr. Martin said that plans for a replacement garage were in the final stages of negotiation and that he hoped that they would reach a deal in the next 2-3 weeks.  If not, he said that there would be a decision not to build a garage with the developer with whom the Department has been in negotiations.  Mr. Martin said that he would report something of a final nature at the March meeting. 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Mr. Cameron reported on the Governor’s plan to separate the DOT into two departments; one for highways and one for public transportation.  Mr. Chabot and Ms. Cronin said that they thought it was a good idea.  Mr. Martin said that the search for a new Transportation Commissioner continues.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.  The next meeting will be held at Grand Central Terminal on March 19, 2008.

 

 

Bob Jelley

Secretary

Phone:  (203) 498-4306

e-mail :  rjelley@wiggin.com