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Minutes: June 18, 2003

              Minutes

 

June 18, 2003    -    SACIA Offices, Stamford, CT

       

On behalf of the Council, Chairman Chabot welcomed and thanked Mr. Cannito for attending the Council Meeting.

Mr. Cannito who is President of Metro North addressed the Council and shared his insights on rail service, operations and future plans. In prepared remarks, Mr. Cannito noted that 2002 was a record year for on-time performance (96.8%). Adding, that ridership was at record levels even with the expected downturn in the economy and 911. Metro North ridership increased by 1/10 of 1% even though most other rail lines decreased. Mr. Cannito indicated that reverse commutes were the sole factor in the increased ridership.

Responding to a Council question regarding the linking of the NY, NJ and LI railroads as a way of bringing manpower into Fairfield County, Mr. Cannito responded that transportation is the way to access the metro area labor pool, the Pennsylvania Station Study and LI access to GCT study are expected to be completed by 2012. In addition, the I-287 Study is ongoing. Stressing the reliability of the fleet, Mr. Cannito noted that the largest constraint to growth is the aging fleet (28-30 yrs. old), obsolete systems and high mileage accumulations.

Turning to 2003, Mr. Cannito indicated that 2003 was the 20th anniversary of the formation of Metro North. Adding, that when Metro North was formed the on-time performance rate was in the low 80% range, and now it is the mid to upper 90% range. Generally the New Haven line accounts for 40% of the ridership, where improved service has been the focus. The YTD on-time performance rate is 96.4% and the Mean Failure Rate has increased to 76,700 miles per failure despite the aging fleet and poor weather conditions.

Turning to NY, Mr. Cannito announced that in 2003 Metro North was adding 180 M-7 units to replace the M-1 and ACU’s. These units will not be able to run in CT.

Asked by the Council what Major Projects where ongoing, Mr. Cannito spoke briefly about the following projects as well as others.

     1).  New Haven Line Catenary Replacement project.

      2).  The car rebuilding program.

      3).  Window change out program.

      4).  Toilet, Heating System and Cab Signal swap out program

      5).   The new yard in the Bronx (Highbridge).

      6).  The deployment of the new TSM’s (Ticket Selling Machines) and plans  for additional orders.

Responding to a Council question regarding the additional congestion caused by the additional 160,000 riders expected to be channeled through GCT from the LIRR Eastside Access and Penn Station Access programs, Mr. Cannito indicated that he didn’t feel it would impact the GCT operations, since both would have a different tunnel and mezzanine. Adding that the 2nd Avenue project was a Subway issue.

Vice Chairman Cameron questioned why the Customer Satisfaction Survey was discontinued. Mr. Cannito responded that the survey was not cancelled it was postponed. Citing concerns over the fare increase and the anticipated skewed results, MN decided it would be better to postpone the study.

On the subject of quiet cars, Mr. Cannito indicated that MN has looked at it, but it is not enforceable. Adding that cell phone usage unlike smoking is not against the law. MN is trying to handle the issue through the courtesy campaign.

Addressing the issue of freight, the Council noted that CT wishes to take freight off the highway, and questioned whether there has been any consideration given to increasing freight service on MN. Mr. Cannito responded that MN currently works with freight but increases are a capacity issue on the New Haven Line. The Haven Line is much more restrictive due to the lower catenary, adding, that 23 ft. is required for double stack freight cars and the New Haven line is less.

 

Chairman Chabot and Vice Chairman Cameron thanked Mr. Cannito for attending the Council meeting and sharing his thoughts with Council.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

1).  Minutes of the May Meeting were approved.

2). CDOT reported that the SLE on-time performance for May was approximately 96% and 89% YTD. The average daily ridership for May was 1527 and 1828 YTD.

Responding to Council questions, CDOT reported that the parking lot in Old Saybrook should open with the next few weeks. Construction bids for the Branford, Guilford and Clinton Stations should be going out by July 30, 2003. and that the SLE thru trains to Stamford should continue.

3). CDOT reported that there were 2 bus substitutions on the Waterbury Branch Line during May, and that on-time performance for April was 94.9%

Concerned riders of the Waterbury Line seeking the reversal of the new schedule changes presented a petition to MN. MN agreed to review it for the October schedule.

CDOT announced that it planned on shutting down the Waterbury Line for approximately 45 days due to main line catenary work. During that time bus service will be arranged. CDOT also agreed to provide advance notice to the ridership.

4). CDOT reported that there were no bus substitutions on the Danbury Branch Line during May, and that on-time performance for May was 97.8%.

CDOT reported that there was a hearing scheduled on June 26, 2003 regarding the electrification of the Danbury branch. No Details were supplied.

5).  CDOT reported that the Washington Boulevard Bridge Replacement project at the Stamford Station was ongoing. Work was continuing on the storm drain system, roadway and the sidewalk areas were excavated to grade and the granite curbs were installed and concrete poured. In addition, pedestrian signals were installed at Station Place and the Washington Boulevard intersection.

 No work was performed on the Stamford Transportation Center Improvement project or ADA upgrade in the station. Restrooms remain closed during construction.

6). Metro North reported that they are making progress with the shop backlog. Metro North further agreed to provide the Council with the most recent consist report at the next scheduled meeting. In addition MN agreed to look into putting the report on the web site.

7). CDOT reported that the TSB was in special session and that due to a lack of funding, it is believed that only the Section 16 Projects, such as the SLE thru trains and the express busses, would continue through the next fiscal year.

CDOT further indicated that the Fleet Configuration Study called for the purchase of 100 additional cars now, but neither MN nor CDOT have any budget for capital equipment and won’t until 2012’.

After discussion, Council member McGee made the following motion, which was unanimously approved.

So Moved:

        “That the Council endorses the legislature to develop a broad based revenue source that will be earmarked solely for transportation.”

 A copy of the TSB Final Report can be found on the Council’s website and all members are encouraged to read it.

8). Discussion regarding Cold Weather Station Access was moved to September.

9). CDOT reported that the gutter at the Darien station was repaired. However, other leaks have been reported. These additional problems are warrantee issues, which CDOT agreed to review and present the Council with a report at the next meeting.

10).  In other old business:

CDOT announced that they were looking into a sale/leaseback of the equipment for the purposes of generating the funds necessary to pay for the M-2 Rehab program.

CDOT also announced that due to the early retirement program, CDOT has lost 670 employees.

 

 NEW BUSINESS:

 In Executive Session

1).  An election was held and Mr. Rodney Chabot was reelected Chairman for the upcoming year. Mr. Jim Cameron was reappointed as Vice Chairman.

2).  After discussion it was decided that the Council should have a summer meeting. That meeting will be held at SACIA on July 30, 2003 at 7:30 pm.

3).  Chairman Chabot agreed to develop a meeting schedule for the next year.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 James N. Mohs

Secretary

 

In Attendance:

 

Rodney Chabot, Chairman

Thomas Izzo, CDOT

Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman

Peter Cannito, Metro North

Jim Mohs, Secretary

Joe Kanell, Metro North

Bob Jelly, Council Member

Eugene Colonese, Metro North

Peter Myers, Council Member

Fred Chidester, Metro North

Ed Zimmerman, Council Member

State Senator Andrew McDonald

Jeff Maron, Council Member

Sharlie Rustici, Commuter

Peter Millard, Council Member

Scott Crosby, Commuter

Carl Leaman, Council Member

Kateryn Oziekan, Commuter

Joe McGee, Council Member

Jon Lucas, The Advocate

Harry Harris, CDOT

SGT. John Mullen, MTA Police

Mike Donnaruma, CDOT

PO. Victor Aviles, MTA Police

Ray Cox, CDOT

 

 

 

 

                                                                                   

 

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