Sen. Boucher: We believe that that federal intervention may be required to address this dire situation

Sen. Toni Boucher along with leaders of the State Transportation Committee at a press conference in Hartford requesting federal intervention into Metro North incidents.

Sen. Boucher: We believe that that federal intervention may be required to address this dire situation

Hartford, CT – Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) ranking member of the transportation committee stood with fellow leaders of the committee today in Hartford to announce they are pushing for oversight and accountability on Metro North Rail Line.

“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,” said Sen. Boucher in a letter to federal authorities and the Connecticut U.S. Legislative delegation.

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 the injury and death of a number of commuters. 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.

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 outlining their requests and concerns to the MTA, federal and state transportation officials, Governor Malloy and the state’s Congressional delegation.

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.

Sen. Boucher also points to a partial list that speaks to the serious accidents, fatalities, poor management, lack of oversight, alleged fraud, criminal activity and a complete breakdown in the management structure of Metro North that is attached to this release.

“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,” said Boucher in the letter. “Since commuting on this rail line has become so unreliable, some commuters have stated that they are now at risk of losing their jobs. Others have suggested this situation has them considering a move to New York City.”

Commuters tell Boucher enough is enough and they demand immediate action.

“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,” added Sen. Boucher.

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

Boucher says the commuting public no longer believes that Metro North has the management capacity to resolve these problems on its own.

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.

They suggest 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.