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Health & Fitness

State Representative Scribner Calls on MTA Chairman and Metro-North President to Testify Before Committee

Posted by Paula Antolini

From State Representative David A. Scribner (R-107), February 3rd, 2014:

Democratic and Republican Legislators propose federal intervention and measurable goals to hold Metro-North accountable to commuters.

Citing the mounting problems that have plagued the Metro-North Railroad over the course of the last two years, Democratic and Republican leaders of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee announced Monday that they are asking for the Chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the new President of Metro-North Railroad to appear before the committee, and for the federal government to hold the rail server accountable to commuters.

State Senators Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) and Toni Boucher (R-Wilton), and State Representatives Tony Guerrera (D-Rocky Hill) and David Scribner (R-Brookfield) have sent a letter (*see below) outlining their requests and concerns to the MTA, federal and state transportation officials, Governor Malloy and the state’s Congressional delegation.

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The letter asks Thomas F. Prendergast (MTA Chairman and CEO) and Joseph Giulietti (Metro-North Railroad President) to come before the Transportation Committee, proposes measurable goals for Metro-North to improve its credibility, and asks for federal and state assistance in both aiding Metro-North in meeting these goals and securing necessary funding to support critical infrastructure improvements.

“I think reasonable people would agree that the frequency and severity of the recent Metro North catastrophes are egregious, and should never have happened,” said Rep. Scribner, Ranking Member and longest serving leader of the Transportation and Transportation Bonding Committees. “I represent border communities that rely heavily on Metro North for regular travel, and those folks expect their government to ensure our transportation systems are safe and reliable. My hope is that we can all work together constructively to improve Metro North through greater oversight, accountability and funding. The State of Connecticut has invested billions of dollars to improve the quality of our rail system for the benefit of our ridership and improvement to the state’s economy; we deserve safe and reliable service for that investment.”

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“We are deeply concerned about the ongoing problems at Metro-North,” said Sen. Maynard. “I am particularly eager to meet with MTA Chairman Prendergast and President Giulietti to review in detail the steps they are taking to improve safety and operations, and restore credibility to the railroad.”

“Metro-North’s unrelenting series of failures has battered confidence in the railroad,” Rep. Guerrera said. “The people of Connecticut want answers. We expect incoming-President Joseph Giulietti and MTA CEO Thomas Prendergast to appear before the Transportation Committee and provide concrete details about Metro-North’s plans to improve safety, accountability and reliability.”

“Metro North railroad represents one of the largest, busiest and most important transit systems in the country,” said Sen. Boucher. “It is the life blood of the Tri- State area’s economy. A failing rail system seriously harms the regional economy, since nearly 40 million riders rely on the New Haven Line every year. Any disruption has an immediate ripple effect on business and jobs. Unfortunately, Metro North has lost credibility in its ability to operate a safe and dependable railroad. Commuters deserve a safe and reliable transportation system. Many now feel that riding on the rails is dangerous and some are even considering moving out of state closer to their job so they can avoid the chaos all together. People pay far too much of their hard earned money for unsafe and unreliable service. Something must be done now to restore trust in Metro North’s ability to run this railroad.”

Metro-North Railroad represents one of the largest, busiest and most important transit systems in the country. Nearly 40 million riders rely on the New Haven Line every year. Any disruption has an immediate ripple effect on business and jobs, and equipment breakdowns have considerably slowed train traffic or brought it to a halt. Rail commuters have reacted to this steadily worsening situation with an outcry for help.

A series of failures arising from mismanagement, negligence, and aged railroad infrastructure has reached a crisis point, resulting in the injury and death of scores of commuters. The legislators drew attention to a partial list of the serious accidents, fatalities, examples of poor management and lack of oversight, alleged fraud and criminal activity that speak to a breakdown in the management structure of Metro North.

The legislators urged Metro-North to establish measurable goals to achieve a safer and more dependable standard of service. The most salient issues for commuters include:

—adherence to national safety standards and protocols that are currently not being met
—a commitment to immediately resolve passenger problems that are now occurring on a weekly basis
—providing evidence of management oversight of all employee activities

The legislators insisted that the situation must be addressed now to restore trust in Metro-North’s ability to run its operations. However, Connecticut has little to no leverage since it is locked into a 60 year contract with Metro-North.

They suggested that the federal government may wish to provide Metro-North with managerial and technical expertise to resolve the serious problems that they are experiencing. This assistance could be a valuable transitional tool for the new leadership of the railroad as it works to fill the existing void in its management.

The legislators also called attention to Metro-North’s aging infrastructure, and asked the state’s Congressional delegation and the U.S. and Connecticut Departments of Transportation to prioritize funding for repairs and maintenance on Metro-North, with particular attention to the New Haven Line.

Some of the railroad’s catenary lines and track are over 100 years old and are particularly vulnerable to severe weather conditions, which occur regularly and should not serve as an excuse for poor service. Adequate funding is also needed for a reliable power supply that is vital to any well-functioning and secure rail system.

 

*Metro-North Letter

Dear Sirs and Mesdames,

Metro North railroad represents one of the largest, busiest and most important transit systems in the country. It is the life blood of the Tri- State area’s economy.  A failing rail system seriously harms the regional economy, since nearly 40 million riders rely on the New Haven Line every
year. Any disruption has an immediate ripple effect on business and jobs. Unfortunately, Metro North has lost credibility in its ability to operate a safe and dependable railroad.

The mounting problems that have plagued the Metro-North Railroad over the course of the last two years have reached a crisis point. A series of failures arising from mismanagement, negligence, and aged railroad infrastructure have resulted in fatal accidents and numerous injuries.  Equipment breakdowns have considerably slowed train traffic or brought it to a halt. Rail commuters have reacted to this steadily worsening situation with an outcry for help. The level of frustration and safety concerns on the part of commuters is unprecedented. This has also been accompanied by expressions of concern and alarm from the general public.

A partial list of the serious accidents, fatalities, poor management, lack of oversight, alleged fraud and criminal activity are attached and speaks to a complete breakdown in the management structure of Metro North.  Commuter safety has been compromised to the point where parents are concerned about their children who take the train to school daily, and commuters worry about derailments and power failures that will leave them stranded on the tracks without heat in the coldest winter in years.  Since commuting on this rail line has become so unreliable, some commuters have stated that they are now at risk of losing their jobs. The public does not believe that Metro North has the management capacity to resolve these problems on its own.

The problems cannot wait to be resolved. This situation must be addressed now to restore trust in Metro North’s ability to run its operations.  Connecticut’s hands are tied,  however, as  it has no leverage due to a 60 year contract that is not meeting the needs of its customers or a modern rail system.  We believe that that federal intervention may be required to address this dire situation.

Intervention at a higher level of government may be necessary to correct this dangerous situation and to bring the railroad to working order. The Chairman and CEO of the MTA should establish measurable goals through which the railroad can advance to a safer and more dependable standard of service. Some of the issues commuters would like Metro North to address include:  adherence to national safety standards and protocols that are currently not being met, commitment to immediately resolve passenger problems that are now occurring on a weekly basis, and evidence of management oversight of all employee activities. We are also suggesting that the federal government may wish to provide Metro-North with managerial and technical expertise that they may need to resolve the serious problems that they are experiencing. This assistance could be a valuable transitional tool for the new leadership of the railroad as it works to fill the existing void in its management.

The Transportation Committee and other concerned legislators of the Connecticut General Assembly also call your attention to Metro North’s aging infrastructure.  We ask our Congressional delegation and the U.S. Department of Transportation to prioritize funding for repairs and maintenance on Metro North, with particular attention to the New Haven Line. As it stands, the infrastructure is not strong enough to withstand the continuous problems affecting it.   Some of the railroad’s catenary lines and track are over 100 years old and are particularly vulnerable to severe weather conditions, which nonetheless occur regularly, and should not serve as an excuse for poor service. Adequate funding is also needed for a reliable, redundant power supply that is vital to any well-functioning and secure rail system.

We hope that federal and state authorities will see the value in giving such a vital service as Metro-North the resources and expertise it needs to change its management; its practices, procedure and safety protocol as well as strengthen its equipment and infrastructure. The result would be a railroad that is safer, more dependable, resilient and responsive to the needs of its commuters.

Thank you for your consideration of our request for your assistance, and for your attention to the serious concerns regarding such a vital national transportation corridor.



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