Minutes

 October 15, 2003    -    Union Station, New Haven, CT

       

1).  Minutes of the September Meeting were approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

2). CDOT reported that the contact for the reconstruction of SLE stations would be awarded on October 17, 2003. CDOT further added that the delay was due to unresolved contractual issues with Amtrak. Responding to Council concerns, CDOT indicated that the Guilford station would not be shut down during construction. CDOT further indicated that the construction should take about a year and should commence in January 2004.

 

Addressing the issue of parking at the Guilford station, CDOT reported that the parking lot is a public park-and-ride lot where no distinction can be made between Metro-North commuters and the general public.

 

The Council reported that there have been no announcements regarding Metro-North connections at the State Street station in New Haven. As operating agency for CDOT on Shore Line East, Amtrak agreed to continue its program of seat drops and said it will keep the station information racks full with timetables. In addition, Amtrak agreed to put out trainmasters notices to the crews reminding them to announce that the State St. station is not the connection point with Metro-North.

 

CDOT indicated that they were aware of system problems with the PA system at State St. and indicated that the new PA system, when installed, would be programmable. The programmable system would eliminate the lack of cancellation and track assignment announcements caused by system.

 

3). Metro North reported that the Waterbury branch line construction was progressing on schedule, with service set to resume on November 15, 2003. Responding to council questions, Metro North indicated that there were a few issues with the bussing, but very few complaints since all the connections appear to have been met. Overall Metro North indicated that it was a smooth transition.  Mr. Marcuse noted that the new timetables taking effect October 26^th do not show the mid-day busses which will be substituting for trains.  Mr. Cox noted that these were not Metro-North busses but being run by CT Transit, and that the bus company would issue its own timetable.  Mr. Cameron hypothesized that the reason the busses were not being shown on the train timetable might have to do with union jurisdiction issues.  Mr. Cox would not comment. Mr. Chabot added that potential passengers to Waterbury seeking schedule information will have no idea of the existence of the mid-day bus service because it is not listed in the railroad timetable.

 

4). CDOT reported that a tree came down on the Danbury branch line on October 15, 2003. The cleanup took 1½ hours and busses were substituted. Responding to questions related to the CTC program, CDOT indicated that bids would open on December 3, 2003 and expected the award to be made on December 24, 2003.

 

The Council reported that the consultants working on the re-electrification study of the Danbury branch appeared to be wasting time on items that would not apply (such as 3^rd rail). In addition, the consultants should be screened regarding what items should be considered. CDOT responded that during this phase the consultants are urged to consider everything.

 

5).  Brian Mercure the Program Manager for CDOT who is in charge of the center island and garage at the Stamford station gave the council an update on the construction.

 

Council member Jeff Marion in absentia submitted a list of questions and requested information on numerous items relating to the Stamford station construction. CDOT reviewed the questions and agreed to supply answers at the next meeting.

 

CDOT reported that the Stamford Station Taxi Dispatch System, which will be run out of Station Place, will cost approximately $300K. To offset the costs there will be a $2 surcharge that the drivers will be responsible to collect. CDOT expects the staging area to be operable in 5 to 6 weeks.

 

CDOT reported that the existing garage would be closed down floor by floor for repairs.

 

6). Metro North reported that the consist report for September showed that 30% of the peak trains were at least 1 car short. Metro North further reported that with a decline in peak ridership since September 11 and preparations for winter operations, they have had very few complaints relating to the shortened trains.

 

The Council questioned whether the Stamford car wash was operating. CDOT indicated that it was operating and that the doors are closed except during operation, which would give the appearance that, the facility was not operating.

 

Metro North reported that the M-2 Rehab program was running smoothly. To date 18 pairs have been completed. In addition, it was noted that no more than 2 pairs are out of service at any one time.

 

7). CDOT reported that phase 1 of the sale-leaseback, which is related to the equipment, has been completed. The net cash benefit realized from the transaction amounted to approximately $29MM. CDOT further reported that the phase 2, which relates to the sale-leaseback of the facilities is pending. The net realizable cash proceeds from phase 2 are expected to be approximately $12MM. Phase 3 relating to the sale-leaseback of the rights-of-way is in discussion.

 

8). Discussion on the MN in-service indicators was postponed.

 

9). Metro North advised the Council that the necessary disciplinary and corrective action was taken relating to the accident that occurred on August 14, 2003 (during the blackout). Metro North further indicated that the accident is still under FRA investigation.

 

.10).  Metro North advised the council that the rail phones were being removed from trains as part of the overall CSR plan, citing lack of use and the need to add seats as the reasoning.

 

11).  In other new business:

Mr. Cameron reported that Darien First Selectman Harrell responded to the Council’s request for financial information regarding the parking program at Noroton Hts. The information will be reviewed.

 

Mr. Cameron reported that there was a commuter complaint that the ticket machines in Southport were inadequate as both machines only issue daily tickets and there was no machine dispensing weekly or monthly tickets. Metro North responded that a full-service machine was never installed due to a lack of traffic.

 

 NEW BUSINESS:

1). CDOT reported that the Rail Governance Study is ongoing. CDOT is currently looking at a draft report, which identifies current needs. CDOT expects to report to the public by the end of December 2003. The second phase (Part 2), which will identify options, best practices and opportunities for improvement, is expected to be completed during the summer of 2004.

 

2).  The Council questioned whether CDOT or Metro North will conduct lighting checks at the stations. Metro North indicated that lighting checks are done regularly.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday November 19, 2003 – NYC/ MTA HQ 347 Madison Ave., 5^th Floor Board Room, 6 pm

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.     

 

Respectfully submitted,

 James N. Mohs

Acting Secretary

 

In Attendance:

 

Rodney Chabot, Chairman	Mike Donnarumma, CDOT
Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman	Brian Mercure, CDOT
Jim Mohs, Council Member	Gene Colonese, MNRR
Peter Myers, Council Member	John Longobardi, MNRR
Peter Marcuse, Council Member	Joe Kanell, MN
Lee Carlson, Council Member	Irwin Inger, Amtrak
E.C. Schroeder, SLERA	Tom Sullivan, Yale Daily News
Ray Cox, CDOT	Scott Crosby, passenger
Carmine Trotta, CDOT