Permanent Citizens Advisory Comittee to the MTA

Harriet Cornell, Chairwoman of the Rockland County Legislature, welcomes participants to the Summit on Financing for the Tappan Zee Bridge Project

On September 29, 2009, the Rockland County Legislature held a “Summit on Financing the Tappan Zee Bridge & I-287 Corridor”.   PCAC Associate Director Jan Wells attended, along with Randy Glucksman, Council nominee from Rockland County.  Jan presented the key points of the Summit to MNRCC members at their October meeting:

The cost of a transit-ready bridge (Bus Rapid Transit or commuter rail) is estimated at $6 billion; the cost of both a transit-ready bridge and corridor across Rockland County is $16 billion.  Mike Anderson, the NYSDOT Project Manager for the TZB, indicated that the Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected in April, 2011.  The design phase would then take place from 2011-2013 and construction from 2013-2017. 

Phil Ferguson, NYSDOT Finance Manger for the TZB project, said that the consulting team headed by Merrill Lynch was due to submit their report on funding strategies in early 2010.  Following Mr. Ferguson, was Joseph Ruggiero, Director of Strategic Planning at the NYS Controller’s Office.  He warned that NYS would be approaching its borrowing limit in a few years and that state dollars would not be available for this project.

The last speaker was Yvette Hinds, Deputy Director for Outreach and Community Development, NYSDOT.  She announced the dates for the first transit-oriented development workshops: November 16th for Westchester County and November 19th for Rockland County.  Interested stakeholders are invited to attend but must register in advance.   For more information call 914-358-0600.

MNR's Harrison station on the New Haven line

At the August 20, 2009 meeting of the MNRCC, John Kennard — Director of Long Range Capital Planning for Metro-North Railroad — made a presentation on the components of the Railroad’s 2010-2014 proposed capital plan.  The Core Capital Program builds upon previous programs’ past investments and aims to advance rolling stock, station facilities, and right-of-way infrastructure to a ”state of good repair”.   He noted that a third of the $1.839 billion budget is devoted to Track and Structures ($346 million), Communications and Signals ($140 million) and Power Improvements ($127 million). 

There will be rehabilitation of New Haven line stations: Mt. Vernon East, Pelham, New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, and Harrison.  The Harlem line will also see station rehabilitation from Botanical Garden to Tuckahoe.  The Fordham station northbound platform will be widened to allow better station circulation and access, and the ongoing restoration of the historic Poughkeepsie station will continue. 

The biggest ticket item is Shops and Yards at $449 million.  This effort includes the design/build construction of a new Harmon Yard Support Shop building (for trouble shooting fleet components) at $300 million.  Other work includes the expansion of the Wassaic and Port Jervis Yards to support ridership growth. 

The detailed MNR 2010-2014 Capital Plan can be found on the MTA website.

Newly elected MNRCC Chair Gerard Kopera (R) presents Rich Cataggio, outgoing Chair, with a certificate of appreciation

At the May meeting, MNRCC elected new officers:  Gerard Kopera, chair;  and  David Buchwald as Vice-Chair. 

James Blair agreed to serve as the MNRCC’s Vice-Chair on the PCAC Executive Committee.  Mr. Blair also continues as the Council’s MTA Board representative.  The Council presented Rich Cataggio, outgoing Chair, with a certificate honoring his 17 years of service.

The Metro-North Commuter Council held its 2009 President’s Forum on March 11, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The meeting took place in the MTA Board 5^th Floor Board Room at 347 Madison Avenue in New York City.

President Howard Permut, joined by a number of his staff, gave opening remarks and then answered questions and comments from riders. This was Mr. Permut’s first Forum since taking over as president in 2008.

In his remarks President Permut noted that in 2008 ridership rose to 84 million, the highest in Metro-North history in all markets. In addition, overall customer satisfaction with MTA Metro-North Railroad in its largest market (inbound customers traveling on its Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines) climbed to 94% in 2008, setting a record high for the second year in a row. This marked the fourth consecutive year that customer satisfaction has increased.

Metro-North’s East-of-Hudson customers enjoyed on-time arrivals 97.5% of the time. This marks the fourth consecutive year on-time performance has been 97.5% or greater.

He also mentioned that Mean Distance Between Failure (MDBF) was 108,000 miles, above the Railroad’s 100,000 mile goal. There is an ongoing commitment to rebuilding or replacing each class of rolling stock. He added that the new M-8 cars slated for the New Haven line will be begin arriving late in 2009 with most coming in 2010.

Permut also spoke about Vision 2013, a planning process that sets new corporate goals for the Railroad’s five-year business plan in the pursuit of excellence.

• Achieve Zero Injuries
• Transport 100 Million Customers
• Achieve 98% On-time Performance
• Achieve 98% Customer Satisfaction
• Achieve 9% reduction in cost per passenger (from $11 to $10)
• Achieve $75 million increase in non-passenger revenue
• Increase employee teamwork, development and improve communications
• Provide timely and effective communication to customers and external stakeholders
• Demonstrate commitment to incorporating sustainability

Members of the public then asked questions or made comments on a variety of topics ranging from the format of brochures and timetables to the condition of train cars to parking issues to bus connecting services. A full Summary of Proceedings will be available on the MNRCC website shortly.

In the late fall of 2008, Douglas McRoberts McKean joined the Metro-North Riders Commuter Council. Mr. McKean lives in Rye, New York and has commuted for many years on the New Haven line. He is an architect with over 25 years of experience including serving as architectural project manager for the Grand Central Terminal restoration. His other public transportation infrastructure projects include work on the redevelopment of the Denver Union Station, Penn Station and World Trade Center improvements to PATH and the 1Line. Mr. McKean has also been a member of the Rye City Council and served on a variety of City Boards and Commissions. His wealth of experience and unique perspective is a welcome addition to the Council.