New Cars on Metro-North:   Frequently Asked Questions

 

by  Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman

 

 

Why Do We Need New Cars on Metro-North?

 

Our fleet of 343 rail cars is old and wearing out.  Two-thirds of the fleet (the M2 cars) is 30 years into its 25 year life expectancy.  The other third is getting close to retirement.  So many cars are out of service for repairs, even on a good day, that trains are short of needed cars to handle passengers, so many must stand.  Last Winter, bad weather and poor design of the cars meant we had a third of all cars frozen solid, leading to cancellations and combination of trains.

 

 

Why Don’t They Keep The Cars In Better Shape?

 

Metro-North and CDOT, which jointly own the cars, do the best job they can but have grossly inadequate facilities… only 18 service bays for 343 cars.  The shops run 24 hours a day, seven days a week and still can’t keep up.  So in addition to new cars, we also need expanded service facilities to keep those cars in working order.

 

 

What’s This News Lately About Getting “Used Cars” from Virginia?

 

After this winter’s service debacle, the CT Legislature authorized $60 million to buy enough cars for about 2000 new seats (approx. 20 cars).  But CDOT was able to get 38 used cars from Virginia Railway Express, a commuter line serving Washington DC.  VRE is upgrading its fleet to double-decker cars and doesn’t need the older cars, which are only 10 years old, in good condition, and should be in service here in CT by December.  CDOT will also be buying six new locomotives to pull these ex-VRE cars.

 

Update / October 2004:  The first three cars from VRE have arrived and will be electrically refitted to operate on Shore Line East. 

 

 

Where Will These VRE Cars Operate?

 

They’ll run on Shore Line East, the Waterbury and Danbury branch lines.  That will free up 20 Bombardier cars now running there to instead run on the main line.  CDOT hopes the added cars will fill out trains now short of cars and might even allow the addition of two new trains on the mainline.

 

 

What About New Cars For CT?

 

CDOT and OPM (the Governor’s Office of Planning and Management) have come up with a plan to replace all 343 cars in our current fleet… but it won’t be until 2008 at the earliest that new cars start arriving.

 

 

Why Do Metro-North’s Hudson and Harlem Lines Have New Cars And We In Connecticut Don’t?

 

Using foresight, NY State gave MTA money several years ago to start replacing its aging fleet before it broke down.  Those new cars, called M7’s, can only run in New York state because they are only powered by third-rail.  Further, the M7’s belong to NY, which paid for them.  Cars running in CT must be paid for by both states and until now the CT legislature wouldn’t fund new cars.

 

 

How Much Will These 343 New Cars Cost?

 

Approximately $1.03 billion.  That covers design and production of the new cars and expansion of maintenance facilities.

 

 

Why Can’t We Just Use The New M7 Cars Running In Westchester?

 

Because those cars can only be powered by third-rail.  Trains running in CT must draw power from the overhead catenary wire. 

 

 

So What Kind Of New Cars Will We Be Getting In CT?

 

The plan is to have three-car sets, two M7 cars and one (yet to be designed) M8 car.  The M8 car would draw power from the overhead wires and feed it to the M7’s with the opposite happening in third-rail territory, i.e. the M7’s would power the M8.

 

 

Will This Really Work?

 

Metro-North and CDOT think so, but the M8 car has yet to be even designed, let alone tested.

 

 

Why Not Just Buy Locomotives And Un-Powered Coaches?

 

To get the speed and acceleration necessary you’d have to two loco’s per train, one pushing and the other pulling, like Amtrak’s Acela.  Factoring in design and production costs, that’s a more expensive solution than the self-propelled MU cars.

 

 

Why Not Just Extend The Third Rail Into Connecticut?

 

That would take years, cost billions, wouldn’t be as efficient (cars run better “under the wire”) and would also involve constructing power sub-stations every few miles. Even with a third rail, we’d still have to run the overhead catenary to power Amtrak which also uses those tracks. Remember… the fastest trains in the world (TGV, Eurostar, Shinkansen) operate “under the wire”, not 3^rd rail.

 

 

When Will The New Cars Arrive IN CT?

 

Starting in late 2008, assuming all goes well… which it never does.

 

 

Why So Long?

 

Aside from the engineering, design and construction, both CT and NY legislatures have to sign off on the plan because the new cars will be paid for 65% by CT and 35% by NY.

 

 

Are Fares Going Up To Pay For These New Cars?

 

A 5% fare increase is still planned for 1/1/05, but none of the fares you pay cover capital equipment costs.  Even though Metro-North riders in CT pay the highest commuter fares in North America, they still don’t cover all of the cost of operations.  The difference between operating costs and fare collection is paid for in a subsidy by taxpayers statewide.

 

 

How Much Federal Money Will Be Spent on The New Cars?

 

None.  The CDOT and Metro-North plan to buy the cars using only state money to avoid delays and Federal oversight and regulations.  All the M7 cars running on Metro-North in Westchester County were paid for using only state money.

 

 

So How Will We Pay For These New Cars?

 

That will be determined by the CT Legislature.  Bonding seems the strongest option, though increases in sales or gas taxes will also be debated.

 

 

What’s Wrong With Issuing Bonds?

 

Nothing, if you don’t mind asking your grandchildren to pay for the cars you’ll be riding before they’re born.  Today, 43% of the CDOT budget pays debt service on bonds issued 20 years ago when the Mianus River Bridge on I-95 collapsed and the CT Legislature finally realized there was a transportation crisis.  By the time any new bonds for these cars would be paid off, the cars would be nearing retirement age.

 

 

Any Other Funding Ideas?

 

A sale/lease-back idea is being considered.  Others are suggesting an EZ-Pass toll system on I-95 to raise funds for mass transit while discouraging driving.

 

 

What About The Winters To Come?

 

With no new cars and a fleet that’s a year older than last year, if we get hit with another combination of brutal cold and powdery snow, there’s every reason to believe our trains will be knocked out again.  Remember… the 38 VRE “used” cars won’t arrive until December, at best.  And the new cars won’t be with us until 2008.

 

 

So, What Can Be Done To Prevent Another Disaster Next Winter?

 

CDOT is working to add shop capacity in New Haven.  And the old M2 cars are continuing to be rehabilitated to breathe another few years’ life into them.  But that rehab work will take five years to complete and we have at least four more Winters to endure before new cars arrive.

 

 

What Can Commuters Do To Help?

 

Work with us, your advocates, to keep the pressure on the CT Legislature to fund the new car order.  That issue won’t be taken up until January 2005, but in the interim is an election.  If quality, dependable, reliable mass transit matters to you, tell your lawmakers in Hartford and Washington.

 

 

What Is The Commuter Council?

 

Created by the CT Legislature 18 years ago to be advocates for rail riders, our group is made up of commuters, appointed by lawmakers, to four-year terms.  We receive no compensation and have no budget beyond what we spend out of our own pockets because we care about this issue.  We meet monthly with Metro-North and CDOT officials to address problems you face every day.

 

 

How Can I Help The Commuter Council?

 

Visit our website (www.trainweb.org/ct) and join our e-mail alert service.  Join us at one of our meetings.  E-mail us your complaints.  Maybe even consider joining our group or consider donating in-kind professional services.

 

6/18/04

 

Updated:  10/7/2004