LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD COMMUTER’S COUNCIL
MINUTES OF AUGUST 11, 2016
A meeting of the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council (LIRRCC) was convened at 4:30 p.m. on August 11, 2016, in the LIRR Transportation Services conference room at 1 Penn Plaza, Penn Station, New York
The following members were present:
Gerard Bringmann Michael Godino
Michael Cairl Maureen Michaels Mark Epstein Raymond Pagano
Larry Rubinstein
The following members were absent:
Sheila Carpenter Ira Greenberg
Owen Costello Bryan Peranzo
In addition, the following persons were present:
William Henderson -PCAC Executive Director
Bradley Brashears -Transportation Planner
Hector Garcia -LIRR
Richard Shulman -Concerned citizen
Approval of Minutes
The agenda for the August 11, 2016 meeting was approved. The minutes of the May 12, 2016 meeting were approved.
Chair’s Report
The Chair’s report is attached to these minutes. In addition, the following items were discussed during the presentation of the Chair’s Report.
New Member
Mark Epstein introduced new member Michael Cairl. The other members present introduced themselves to Mr. Cairl.
Mr. Cairl commented on his background with transportation issues. He said that he works as a consultant to railroads. He has worked on the LIRR’s second track project and will work on the 3rd track project cost estimation. He said that he is now working with a transit system in Kansas City and that he also has experience in system integration and safety. Mr. Cairl said that he was excited to have Brooklyn Borough President ask him to join the Council, as he has a long experience with the LIRR from growing up on Long Island. Richard Schulman asked why the Kansas City system was established as a streetcar and not light rail.
Maureen Michaels commented that the seats on the M3s are terrible. Bill Henderson said that the LIRR has an initiative underway to repair seats on these cars so that they are usable until these cars are replaced with M9 rolling stock
Ms. Michaels also noted the poor condition of the tactile strips on platforms and asked when they will be replaced. Ray Pagano asked whether there is a standard for the type of warning strips that are installed. Hector Garcia responded that the LIRR had started installing tactile warning strips, but they have led to damage on the platforms and the Rail Road is looking at alternatives to alert riders to their proximity to the edge.
Ms. Michaels said that signage at Penn Station directs its users to subway lines that no longer exist. Mr. Henderson said that he would communicate with Amtrak regarding this issue.
Staff Report
Mr. Henderson said that the staff is working on communication issues and new ways that the MTA can engage with its riders leading up to potential fare increases that will be implemented in 2017. He said that the staff is also examining performance indicators and ways that they can be used to evaluate the MTA system’s needs.
The members discussed holding an additional work session that could include a discussion on performance measures that could replace or enhance on-time performance. It was decided that the Council would hold an informal September meeting to provide further information on some of the issues that it has been considering.
Mr. Rubinstein said that the Communication Committee had not had much time to progress its work. Mr. Epstein asked if members could make themselves available for a visit to the LIRR communication center, and Gerry Bringmann said that he could be available for such a visit.
Mr. Bringmann also said that he has heard announcements lately that he regards as demeaning. An example is the announcement that tells riders not to board a train that is not stopping in the station. He said that it is obvious that riders cannot board this train and the announcement appears to talk down to them.
Member Reports
Mr. Pagano said that he did not have anything to report on the local level but that the Nassau County Council of Civic Association is keeping in touch with groups throughout the County.
Mr. Garcia said the LIRR and MTA are working on assessing comments on the scoping document that was produced for Main Line improvements. He said that he will be working on the final draft EIS.
Ms. Michaels said that there are frequent problems with MetroCard vending machines at Penn Station. Also, she said that riders could not purchase single trip tickets from full service Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) on the LIRR. Several members and Mr. Schulman noted that they have been able to buy single trip tickets from this variety of machine and suggested that the problem may have been in the individual machine that she used.
New Business
Mr. Epstein asked when the replacement pedestrian overpass at Port Washington station will be installed. Mr. Garcia responded that the LIRR had used emergency procurement rules to order a replacement and that currently they are ordering a crane to do the replacement. The new structure will be installed by the end of October.
Mr. Epstein said that the Council is hearing many negative comments about the way that this project has been handled and that the LIRR should let the riders know what is happening in the effort to replace the overpass.
Mr. Henderson said that the MTA had issued its proposed 2017 budget and that the main changes that pertain to the LIRR are additional service that is being provided to the East End of Long Island and the lengthening of some trains to accommodate more passengers.
Ms. Michaels said that there is a need to increase service on the Main Line. There is a need for more service in the shoulder of the peak hours. Ms. Michaels said that trains are packed into the evening and night hours and asked why the LIRR cannot run half hour service in the evenings on weekdays. Mr. Epstein said that he will discuss this with the Rail Road.
Mr. Rubinstein stated that when Mets games end, trains at Woodside come in with closed cars, sometimes resulting in chaos. Mr. Garcia said that he would take this information back to the LIRR.
Ms. Michaels stated that she found that the response to Meet the Council letter was largely repetitions of “here’s the policy”. She said that she felt the letter was patronizing to the point of insult. Mr. Epstein asked why the railroad couldn’t respond to some of the simple things in the letter that they could have fixed or else say that they will look into the issues and remedy problems that can be fixed. He said that all the LIRRCC received as a response was Rail Road policy. Mr. Garcia responded that the LIRR will work or the issues in the letter.
Michael Cairl said that the LIRR should not take so long a time before sending a response and said that four months is too long. Mr. Epstein said that the riders see that they received no action from their complaints and this is one of the things contributing to the Rail Road’s poor image. He asked what the Council can tell commuters and noted that the failure of the LIRR to respond affects the LIRRCC’s image as well.
The Council discussed the mobile payment, or eTix, system recently implemented across the LIRR. Mr. Epstein asked what kind of tickets can be purchased through this system. Mr. Garcia stated he was not familiar with the details of the system. Mr. Cairl noted that Amtrak has been using similar technology. Ms. Michaels said that no one has explained this system to riders and there is confusion about it.
Mr. Epstein asked Mr. Garcia asked if he would take back to management the riders’ unhappiness with the customer complaint process at the LIRR. He said that it is difficult to provide the Rail Road with feedback.
Mr. Epstein asked whether members were interested in having a Meet the Council session in Brooklyn. The members agreed that this would be a good idea.
Mr. Rubinstein asked whether there is a final determination on how Brooklyn to Jamaica scoot service will operate Mr. Garcia said that this has not been fully decided.
The members briefly discussed the Long Island Office.
The Council unanimously approved a Resolution of Appreciation for Matthew Kessler.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
William Henderson
Executive Director