PCAC Quarterly Report
July - September 2002
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- Long Island Rail Road Commuters Council
- Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council
- New York City Transit Riders Council
Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee (PCAC)
NY Times Article Features PCAC Executive Director
On Thursday, August 1, PCAC Executive Director Dolinsky was featured in
The New York Times "Public Lives" column entitled Grinding Axes,
Pragmatically, Inside the MTA. The article discussed Ms. Dolinsky’s
role as the riders’ advocate on the MTA Board and her strategies
to effectuate change at the helm of the PCAC.
MTA Analyzing PCAC’s City Ticket Proposal
In response to the PCAC proposal for a "City Ticket" good on
off-peak commuter trains within New York City, PCAC received a letter
from MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow stating, "As always, I value the
Committee’s ideas and input. Gary Caplan, MTA Budget Director, is
currently reviewing the proposal with his staff and those at the LIRR
and Metro-North. Once we have completed our analysis, we will provide
a more detailed response under separate cover."
PCAC Continues to Monitor Plans for Rebuilding
Downtown
On Saturday, July 20, Executive Director Beverly Dolinsky, Associate Director
Kate Brower, and Transportation Planner Ellyn Shannon attended the "Listening
to the City" public meeting organized by the Civic Alliance. Attended
by more than 4,000 people of diverse demographics, the meeting sought
to elicit public responses and suggestions to the six concept plans developed
under the auspices of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC)
and the Port Authority.
In August, Beverly Dolinsky attended a meeting at Brookfield Properties
where their proposals for downtown land use and an LIRR connection to
downtown were discussed. Ms. Dolinsky also attended a special meeting
with MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow where the FEMA grant and his priorities
for the MTA were addressed. They are: Long Island Rail Road East Side
Access, the #7 Line Extension to the Westside and the Second Avenue Subway.
Port Authority Architects and MTA Planning Staff
Address PCAC Meeting about Plans for Lower Manhattan
At the PCAC September meeting Robert Eisenstat, Principal Architect of
the Port Authority, presented the Port Authority’s plans for downtown
including rebuilding PATH, a new ferry terminal and the proposed east-west
underground passageway connecting PATH and the subways. William Wheeler,
MTA director - Planning, briefed the members on the MTA’s plans including
improvements to the Fulton Street/Broadway – Nassau Street station
complex, expansion of the South Ferry station and the Rector Connector.
The PCAC Standing Committee on Rebuilding downtown met and decided that
before allocating $250 million for a study and a downtown portal, the
MTA should undertake an in-depth origin – destination study to ascertain
how many LIRR customers would use a one-seat ride to lower Manhattan.
Crowded Platform Conditions at 34th Street/Seventh
Avenue an LIRRCC and TRC Concern
Concerned about crowded platform conditions on the downtown local platform
at 34 Street –Penn Station, the LIRRCC and TRC wrote to MTA Chairman
Peter Kalikow. NYC Transit President Lawrence Reuter responded stating
that the stairway adjacent to the elevator site opened at the end of July,
the staircase at 33 Street/7th Avenue is due to reopen in spring 2003
and that the MTA has received tentative approval for a grant to improve
overall circulation at this station including the staircase at 32nd Street.
The restoration of 1/9 service in mid-September has also helped to relieve
the crowding on this platform..
Long Island Rail Road Commuters Council (LIRRCC)
Barbara Josepher Re-Elected LIRRCC Chair
Council elections were held in June. Barbara Josepher was elected Chair
and Gerard Bringmann was elected Vice Chair.
LIRR Agrees to Change Police/Emergency Phone
Numbers
The Council sent a letter to LIRR President Ken Bauer suggesting that
the Police/Emergency phone numbers listed on the timetables be changed
to the numbers that Metro-North uses on its individual timetables to speed
up customer response times. The Council found that Metro-North’s
numbers were answered immediately unlike the cumbersome and lengthy experience
using LIRR’s numbers. The Council received a letter from Mr. Bauer
stating that the new numbers will appear on the November timetables.
LIRRCC, MNRCC and PCAC Staff Tour M7 Cars
On August 26, LIRRCC members, along with MNRCC members and PCAC staff,
viewed the new M7 cars at the LIRR Hillside Maintenance Shop. The members
were very impressed by the interior, the ergonomic seats and the care
that has been taken to improve air conditioning and electrical components.
These new cars are ADA compliant, have automated public address announcements
and electronic information signs. The cars contain past LIRRCC suggestions
including aisle handholds, headrests across three seats and recessed coat
hooks. LIRRCC Chair Barbara Josepher was quoted in two articles about
the new cars.
Council Continues to Monitor Massapequa Station
Work
The Council has been closely monitoring the work at the Massapequa station
because the project was originally supposed to take two weeks to complete.
While the work was underway, asbestos was uncovered which has delayed
the project many months until the asbestos can be removed.
The Council Continues to Press for Amtrak Fire
Safety Position
After the Council sent two letters to Amtrak President David Gunn about
the importance of filling the Amtrak Fire Safety position in Penn Station,
the LIRRCC received a letter from Mr. Gunn stating that Amtrak recognizes
the importance of this position and plans to fill it within the next few
months
Off Escalators Remain a Problem at Penn Station
The LIRR convened a high level meeting to address the problem of the escalators
in the Eighth Avenue corridor at Penn Station in the evenings. Ms. Dolinsky
and Council member Jerry Shagam met with LIRR representatives in Penn
Station about escalators operating in the wrong direction during the evening
rush hours. While they were there, an Amtrak employee reversed an escalator.
The LIRR Police stationed a plain-clothes officer at the escalators for
two weeks to monitor them and issue warrants. A report was submitted of
the activity during the two-week period, but the problem remains.
Council Complains About Insufficient Montauk
Branch Train Service for July 4th Weekend
The Council sent a complaint to the LIRR about the horrendous service
at Mastic-Shirley on Sunday, July 7. While the LIRR had planned for extra
service, they did not anticipate as much demand in the early afternoon.
They also said that the Rail Road is constrained by the need for service
on all of the diesel branches.
Council Makes Recommendations to Improve LIRR
Customer Satisfaction Survey
Associate Director Planner Katherine Brower sent a letter to Yannis Takos,
LIRR director – Market Research, with comments on the 2001 Customer
Satisfaction Survey. The letter suggested that the LIRR use satisfaction
level terminology similar to that used by the Metro North Railroad to
make it easier for customers to relate to and to allow cross the LIRR
to compare elements of their service to those of Metro- North, if desired.
Other recommendations included a set of questions related to cell phone
usage, a question about the ease of use of the emergency telephone numbers,
and condensing some of the existing questions to make it clearer for customers
to understand. Finally, the letter suggested that the LIRR consider conducting
customer satisfaction surveys more than once a year.
Report Card Scheduled for Release in the Fall
Associate Director Katherine Brower and Transportation Planner Ellyn Shannon
have completed entering the data and comments of the sixteenth annual
LIRRCC Report Card. The press conference announcing the results will be
held later in the fall.
Council Urges Suffolk County Executive Gaffney to Fill Council Vacancies
Executive Director Beverly Dolinsky sent a letter to Suffolk County Executive
Robert Gaffney apprising him that there are two vacancies on the Council
and encouraging him to submit names to the Governor for appointment.
Council Hears From LIRR Management at June and
August Meetings
At the June meeting, David Sumner, LIRR, general manager – Customer
Quality and Service Planning gave the Council an overview of LIRR service
and operations. Council members now have a better understanding of just
how complicated running service on the LIRR is. Mr. Sumner shared some
facts about the Long Island Rail Road, and outlined the operating characteristics
and constraints for each of the eleven lines. Mr. Sumner said problems
with the dual modes and locomotives still persist noting that two engines
are needed for the dual mode trains and that the warranty work on the
locomotives continues. Mr. Sumner said that the first pair of M7s have
arrived on the property and are currently being tested. He said the second
pair should be arriving shortly.
At the August meeting, the Council received a presentation from Mitch Menarchem, LIRR assistant general manager – Passenger Services Administration and Jim Coumatos, LIRR assistant general manager – Station Operations, about the Branch Line Manager Program. The Branch Line Manager Program was instituted a number of years ago in response to an LIRRCC Report Card that highlighted station problems.
Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council (MNRCC)
Election of Officers
Election of MNRCC officers was held at the August meeting. Richard Cataggio
was re-elected Chair and Francis Corcoran was elected Vice Chair, replacing
Jim Blair who stepped down due to holding a number of other PCAC executive
positions.
No More Cell Phone Questions
George Walker, MNRCC vice president – Operations, at the July 18
Council meeting indicated that Metro-North President Peter Cannito does
not want to include any more questions about cell phone usage on future
Customer Satisfaction Surveys. Mr. Walker said that Mr. Cannito wrote
a letter notifying Jim Cameron of the Connecticut Commuter Council informing
him about this decision.
Council Pushes to Have Courtesy Campaign Continued
Beverly Dolinsky spoke to Donna Evans, Metro-North director – Corporate
and Media Relations, about accelerating and continuing the cell phone
courtesy campaign with car cards, posters and seat drops. Ms. Evans said
that the customer courtesy campaign would continue every few months after
Labor Day. Due to prior commitments, the TDI advertising space reserved
for the railroad’s use will not be available until October. However,
the whole month of October will be devoted to posters reminding customers
of Metro-North’s four courtesy points: use cell phone sparingly;
speak softly in a civil tone; keep your feet off the seats and pick up
all your stuff and take it with you as you leave the train. October is
the first anniversary of the courtesy program. Also, Operations Services
will be asked to make appropriate train announcements.
Missing On-Board Maintenance Cards a Problem
.As a follow up to our meeting with George Walker, the Council received
a letter explaining the on-board maintenance card procedure. Train crews
are required to report any car defects. The cards are inspected daily
by a qualified maintenance person. The defects are corrected and the information
is put into the Equipment Maintenance Information System. Dennis Baum
remains concerned because cards are missing from many doors making it
impossible for the crews to report defects.
Council Wrote to Westchester County Executive
Spano Seeking Recommendations for Council Members
A letter was sent to Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano on August
5 informing him of the Council vacancies and asking him to recommend candidates
to Governor Pataki for appointment.
MNRCC Pursuing Plaque to Honor George Zoebelein
Ms. Dolinsky reported on a conversation with Bob MacLagger, Metro-North
director – Operations Planning, about a trail stop. Mr. MacLagger
is planning to look at two sites, Arden and Southfield, for a potential
trail stop. Both of these locations were train stations before World War
II. If one works out, it might be possible to open a stop by next spring.
At that time consideration will be given to a plaque honoring George Zoebelein.
He is also going to look at Schunemunk Mt. again, but that is problematic
because there is no road access and the ownership of the property is in
a state of flux.
Council Hears From Metro-North Top Brass
Genevieve Firnhaber, MNR executive vice president – Finance and Administration,
Len DeSimone, MNR chief information officer – Information Systems,
and Tom Tendy, MNR director – Customer Service, discussed how information
technology has helped improve service to MNR customers. Three and a half
years ago the two departments formed a partnership that resulted in the
development of new customer information systems that are now used by employees
every day. They cited the telephone center as an example of a department
that now has all its information on computers. Customers get quick and
accurate travel information. The group explained that the first screen
is a hot sheet alert with current service information. The same information
is shared with the MNR Press Office.
Mr. DeSimone and Ms. Firnhaber discussed Metro-North’s web ticket
program, which is very customer friendly. Approximately two million tickets
a year are sold on the web. 2,000 mail and ride customers use the web.
All types of fare media are available on the web including weeklies, which
can be purchased up to eight weeks in advance, and unitickets. The tickets
are printed and distributed in house. Metro-North’s objective is
to reduce the selling of tickets on trains, the most labor-intensive means
of selling tickets. $50 million worth of tickets is sold on trains every
year.
Council Continues to Track Various Issues
During the quarter, the Council continued to monitor the progress of the
following issues: Lexington Avenue Doors rehabilitation project, additional
parking at Harriman Lot, Woodbury Common Stop, and Seat Bladders.
New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC)
Council Releases 2002 Subway Signage Survey
On September 5, 2002 the Council held a press conference at the Fulton
St./Broadway-Nassau Street station complex to announce their signage survey
findings. 106 stations were surveyed and signage was examined at entrances,
control areas, mezzanines and passageways, and at platform edges. This
study was a follow-up to a survey that the Council undertook in 1997.
There is still a great deal that remains wrong with signage. Signs are
inaccurate, misleading, inconsistent, difficult to understand and just
plain wrong. The press conference was attended by all of the major newspapers
including The New York Times, The New York Post, The Daily News and Newsday.
WABC and NY 1 News carried the story as well as a number of radio stations.
The Council is waiting for a formal response from MTA NYC Transit.
Council Schedules Manhattan Bus Forum for November
The NYCTRC will hold a Manhattan Bus Forum at MTA Headquarters, 347 Madison
Avenue, on Thursday, November 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Representatives
from New York City Transit, NYC Department of Transportation and the New
York City Police Department will be there to answer questions about bus
service in all five boroughs.
Council Opposed to Possible Fare Increase
At the August meeting, the TRC members had a lengthy discussion about
the possibility of a fare increase. The Council voted to oppose any increase.
Letters were sent to Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg to do everything
possible to avoid a fare increase stating that a fare increase would be
counterproductive to the City and State, and particularly to the recovery
of Lower Manhattan.
Council Pushes Hard For Train Announcement Software
Improvements
The Council has been very critical of the pre-recorded announcements on
the new subway cars because they haven’t been updated to reflect
service changes and conductors do not always make the appropriate announcements
to inform customers. This often results in passenger confusion. The Council
has sent numerous letters alerting Transit to this continuing problem.
Diversion Notices a Continuing Problem
The Council sent letters to NYC Transit Senior Vice President Barbara
Spencer about missing service diversion notices at various stations over
the past three months. The Council asked that Ms. Spencer’s office
look into ways of improving procedures for informing the public about
service changes and platform closures. We also asked for information about
planned work at "complex" stations to avoid service disruptions
on multiple lines in order to minimize the impact on riders. The Council
stressed the need to constantly update the web site when service is impacted,
such as the Con Edison substation fire.
Platform Crowding a Council Concern
The Council sent a letter to Anthony Giudice, NYCT chief officer –
Stations, about crowding on platforms when spontaneous train delays occur.
The letter requested information about the policy for shutting down escalators
and elevators when crowding occurs. Ms. Dolinsky spoke with Mr. Giudice,
who said that Transit has no way of knowing when this occurs unless they
receive a phone call or if they know that there is a particular problem
causing trains to be delayed. When this happens, personnel are dispatched
to monitor the escalators and to help with alternate means of travel.
In general, escalators are kept running most of the time.
Bus Issues Remain High on Council Agenda
The Council sent a letter to NYCT Senior Vice President Millard Seay detailing
a number of bus issues that have been raised over the past few months,
including sending a reminder to bus drivers not to smoke on the bus during
breaks and layovers, sending a reminder to bus drivers to announce that
passengers should exit through the rear door, and asking whether any design
changes have been incorporated into the articulated buses. Mr. Seay responded
that Council members should report drivers who are smoking, that Transit
will continue its campaign to have customers exit through the rear door
and that the new order of articulated buses will have improved engine-emission
control systems and better lighting.
MTA Take Over of Private Buses Acceptable Only
If New York City Continues to Pay Operating and Capital Costs
The Council sent a letter to Mayor Bloomberg supporting a settlement of
the strike of the three private bus lines in Queens. The letter addressed
the need to maintain or increase City subsidies to the MTA if an MTA takeover
were to occur.
Beverly Dolinsky spoke to MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow about an MTA take
over of the private bus lines emphasizing the Council’s concern that
if this happens that it be at no cost to bus and subway riders and the
City’s obligation to continue to subsidize the operating and capital
costs of these bus lines.
Council Supports V Service and Presses for Improvements
NYCTRC Chair Andrew Albert wrote a letter to the NY Times in response
to an article by Randy Kennedy about V line service. He reiterated the
Council’s support for V service and its efforts to encourage Transit
to work out problems that have dogged the service, such as, more E trains
than V trains, running weekdays only and terminating at Second Avenue
rather than continuing to Brooklyn. Mr. Albert also sent a letter detailing
the Council’s position on the V train to Governor Pataki.
Council Pursues Plaque Honoring Steve Dobrow
Ms. Dolinsky spoke to New York City Transit President Lawrence Reuter
about installing a plaque preferably at Northern Boulevard or Woodside
to honor Steve Dobrow and his outstanding contribution toward improving
public transportation in the MTA region. Mr. Reuter said that while Transit
doesn’t usually memorialize individuals, he would see what he could
do. Also, the Transit Museum is going to send staff to the Dobrow home
to look at Steve’s collection with an eye toward moving the contents
to the Museum.
Council Hears from NYC Transit Officials at
Monthly Meetings
At the July meeting, Keith Hom, NYCT chief – Operations Planning
and Norman Silverman, NYCT senior director – Route and System Planning
gave a presentation about the work of Operations Planning and the service
diversion plans for major projects, such as, the Stillwell Av. Rehabilitation,
the Second Avenue Subway and the 7 Line extension to Manhattan’s
far West Side.
In September, the Council received a presentation from James Sears, NYCT
senior director - Marketing Research, who discussed a number of the surveys
that his unit has conducted for various departments at NYC Transit including
the 2001 MetroCard Comprehensive Survey, the Bus LED Signage Survey, Howard-Beach
– JFK Tracking survey and others.
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