A meeting of the Long Island Rail Road Commuter’s Council (LIRRCC) was convened at 4:30 pm on May 12, 2011, in the Transportation Services Conference Room at Penn Station.
The following members were present:
• Gerard P. Bringmann
• Mark Epstein
• Sheila Carpenter
• Ira Greenberg
• Owen Costello
• Larry Rubinstein
The following members were absent:
• Matthew Kessler
• Maureen Michaels
In addition, the following persons were present:
• William Henderson -PCAC Executive Director
• Janice Wells -PCAC Associate director
• Bob Brennan -LIRR
• Jim Compton -LIRR
• Joe Clift -Concerned Citizen
Approval of Agenda and Minutes
The agenda for the May 12, 2011 meeting was approved. The minutes of the April 7, 2011 meeting were approved.
Chair’s Report
The prepared Chair’s Report is attached to these minutes. Gerry Bringmann gave the report.
On Tuesday, May 24 the next Meet the Managers forum will take place in the 34th Street passageway at Penn Station. The Long Beach and Far Rockaway branches will be the focus of this month’s session.
Gerry Bringmann commented on a fence in need of repair located in Deer Park, where students were improperly crossing the tracks.
Mark Epstein commented on the fence at the Wyandanch station that has been discussed at several previous meetings. He stated that he has seen workers at Wyandanch, but they are not working on the fence. He suggested that the Council needs to find out what is being done at this location.
Mr. Bringmann suggested a letter should be sent to LIRR in regard to the procedures for informing riders about cancelled trains and their connections. There should be some type of announcement, or communications of some sort, to indicate whether the connection for the cancelled train will be held for the alternate train that the LIRR suggests that riders use.
Larry Rubinstein stated that his problem is the origin and sometimes the destination times of the trains are used by the LIRR in identifying trains. He said that he identifies trains by the times that they are scheduled to reach intermediate stops, so therefore he is not sure what train is being referenced.
Board Report
Ira Greenberg gave the Board report. He noted that the Board’s Safety and Security Committee is being reconstituted as the Security Committee. He also reported that the MTA Board voted to end its agreement to operate Long Island Bus effective at the end of December 2011. Mr. Greenberg also said that there was lots of discussion on the MTA Board about who should maintain the East River tunnels and surrounding tracks. Penn Station and the tracks used to access it are very important to Amtrak, but the LIRR operates more trips through the tunnels.
Mr. Greenberg stated that labor representatives were not present for the Board committee meetings at which the Amtrak incident and control of the East River tunnels and adjacent facilities were discussed. The question was raised whether the LIRR could take over operation of Penn Station and the Amtrak assets leading to it. It was noted that such a move could expose the LIRR and MTA to major future liabilities.
Mr. Bringmann suggested that the Council pursue and have an understanding of the game plan for coordination of Penn Station security. He said that we need to know who is in charge. Mr. Greenberg stated we need to know how security is handled on a day to day basis by Amtrak and Penn Station. Sheila Carpenter noted that concerns about coordination are not limited to Penn Station as there is a battle of badges going in Suffolk County between the MTA Police Department and Suffolk County Police, one cause of which seems to be the salary differences between the two forces.
Mr. Greenberg asked if the Council wanted more than just a general briefing on security. He said that there may be some areas that the MTA would be reluctant to discuss. Mr. Bringmann said that he did not want operational detail, but a general understanding of how efforts are coordinated.
Introduction of Jim Compton, LIRR General Manager-Customer Revenue and Technology, to discuss fare collection issues
Mr. Compton said that he worked for Metro-North Railroad prior to working with LIRR and that he has been in his current position since 2009. At the LIRR his responsibilities include ticket sales, on board revenue collection and station maintenance and cleaning.
Mr. Compton said that the resources available for revenue collection have been reduced and that this has occurred at the same time as a call for 100 percent collection of revenue. He discussed the breakdown of ticket sales by type. Most tickets are being sold through Ticket Vending Machines (52%) and onboard sales in 2011 are lower than in the prior two years. He noted that each collector has multiple job functions throughout the day. At least one collector is necessary for each key train, on which an additional collector is needed to ensure sufficient staffing for all tickets to be collected. Collectors are assigned to other trains to cycle them back to duty on key trains.
Mr. Compton said that one challenge facing his on-board personnel is the 14 day validity period for individual ride tickets. Mr. Bringmann stated that the Council is strongly opposed to this policy. Ms. Carpenter wanted to know when the current ticket validity policy was implemented. Mr. Compton replied that it was implemented December 30, 2010 and that it was put into force to ensure that revenue was collected. Ms. Carpenter stated that this policy is a source of conflict between riders and train personnel. Mr. Compton said that that there is need to look at the issue of ticket validity periods and the LIRR will investigate how the policy and its enforcement is affecting different kinds of riders.
Larry Rubenstein said that it is possible to use an expired monthly pass of the same color as the present month’s to commute without purchasing a new pass. He said that he knows two people who do this and that on the days tickets are punched, one individual carries a daily ticket that he then uses. Mr. Compton stated that the LIRR had a reduction in force, and consequently went from six to two punch days per month. He said that the Rail Road does not have personnel to inspect tickets more frequently.
Joe Clift asked if the LIRR is aware of New Jersey Transit’s single ride ticket policy. Their tickets do not expire and there are no refunds made. Mr. Compton stated that they had wanted to put a similar policy in place, but were told that New York State Law prohibits this policy. Ms. Carpenter stated that the short validity of tickets is really an inconvenience. Mr. Rubinstein suggested that different patterns, stripes, or some other graphics be used to better identify valid monthly tickets.
Mr. Epstein asked who is watching the watchers with regard to fare collection. He said that everyone knows you can take a summer train to the Hamptons without having your ticket inspected if you are not in the first or the last car. He said that people ride the middle of the train, because most of the time commuters can ride without ticket inspection. The first and last cars are always inspected. Mr. Compton stated that there are other onboard fare collection challenges and discussed them briefly. He noted that in 2009 an onboard Task Force was convened for the purpose of addressing these issues. He said that the Rail Road has been placing managers in charge of a branch of the LIRR. Under this system of organization, one manager will be in charge of all trains on the Ronkonkoma Branch, for example, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ms. Carpenter asked if these managers would be able to assist the crew with collection if there is a particularly large load. Mr. Compton stated if they expect heavy ridership, they put more collectors onboard. Ms. Carpenter commented on her experience on a Montauk train on the day of the Montauk St. Patrick Day parade. She asked whether, in a situation such as that, the LIRR supervisors could not assist on board personnel.
Owen Costello discussed his experience on the 6:45 a.m. train out of Port Washington. He said that the train crew never comes through to check and collect tickets until the train reaches Great Neck.
Mr. Clift asked if there is a way of establishing an expected base for revenue collections. Mr. Compton stated that the LIRR have statistics of historical collections over time, but there is also a procedure in place where management puts a special team of collectors, who are closely supervised, on board to determine actual collections if the process is done properly. He said that the LIRR uses this crew to establish a baseline revenue estimate.
Mr. Compton said that the Rail Road also has a spotter program in conjunction with MTA Audit services. Spotters usually purchase a normal ticket, although they may not purchase a ticket in order to test on-board ticket sales, and ride the trains to check on the effectiveness of collection. He said that in the current budget climate he does not know how long this service will be available. Presently, there are 175 to 200 rides made by spotters per month. After the spotters ride the trains, there is a report completed that outlines the fares not collected and also incorrect charges that were made for on-board fares.
Mr. Compton stated that LIRR is currently engaged in a project on the 14 day ticket validity period. He noted that there is a State Senate bill that has been introduced to roll back refund service charges and change the ticket validity period on the MTA’s commuter railroads.
Mr. Greenberg asked what is being done to instill the value of doing the job of fare collection. Mr. Compton stated that progressive discipline is being used. He said that previously the Rail Road would find violations and merely enter them into a database and that now they will have consequences.
Mr. Compton stated that there is an on board fare collection pilot project in development. He said that the MTA is working on acquiring a handheld device that can accept credit cards. This device will be tested on the Greenport Branch.
Mr. Epstein asked why the collectors inspect tickets again after Jamaica if a seat check has been used. Mr. Compton stated that the policy is to recheck after Jamaica because it is such a large hub and people tend to move from place to place on the trains at this point. Mr. Bringmann noted that his monthly ticket wasn’t punched except on the 1st day of this month. He observed that if you are a rider and manage to get past the first day, you’re all set for the month even if you are using an invalid ticket. Mr. Compton stated that the process of establishing ownership of branches by managers is starting now. He said that the LIRR would like to have the managers, as well as the rank and file, involved in improving revenue collection.
Old Business
Mr. Costello raised the issue of the encroachment of the Port Washington branch right of way by landscaping businesses located along Haven Avenue, noting that Hector Garcia was to report back on this. Mr. Brennan stated that the issue has been referred to him and the LIRR is working on it. He said that high level individuals in the organization have been involved with the issue.
Mr. Costello also mentioned that on the days with the heaviest ridership, the platforms are jammed with people. This creates a dangerous situation, and the LIRR seems to make the situation worse by announcing the trains before they arrive in the station. Mr. Greenberg stated that this is probably because loading trains takes time and they want riders to get a head start reaching their train.
Mr. Rubinstein commented that he had a conversation with Nassau County Executive Mangano with regard to potential LIRRCC members. Mr. Mangano stated that he was not aware of the Council and the process for recommending new members and that he will move forward with identifying candidates for the Council.
Mr. Bringmann requested nominations for LIRRCC Chair and Vice Chair. Mark Epstein was elected Chair and Matthew Kessler Vice Chair of the Council for two year terms.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
William Henderson
Executive Director
Long Island Rail Road Commuters Council
Chair’s Report
May 12, 2011
This is my last report as Chair of the LIRRCC and I’d like to begin by thanking all of the members for their support and, especially my co-pilots, Gerry Bringmann and Ira Greenberg.
The past month has been super busy for the Council. On April 14, Larry Rubenstein appeared on News 12 with Joe Calderone to discuss the News 12 special investigation into the loss of revenue from inconsistent collection of fares. As always, Larry did a great job getting out all of the LIRRCC’s discussion points.
The LIRR’s monthly Meet the Managers program in Penn Station on April 26 was focused on the Babylon and Montauk Branches, but as we have found at previous sessions, the riders who spoke to us and to the LIRR staff on hand came from all around the system. Thanks to all of the members who have generously given of their time to speak with riders at any of the Meet the Managers sessions. Our presence there is a good opportunity to speak with other riders and increases the Council’s visibility as well. The date and branch for the next session is not yet confirmed, but staff will let you know when we have word.
On April 29, Bill and Ira testified at a hearing convened by the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions. The first witness was Jay Walder, who was joined by the MTA’s operating agency Presidents and other top MTA officials, and his appearance took nearly three hours. Bill and Ira took a considerably shorter time in stating that the operating statistics that the MTA reports and uses to plan capital and other expenditures should be based on the riders’ experience. The new Chairman of the Committee, James Brennan of Brooklyn, was interested in our perspective and Bill and Ira also had the opportunity to speak with him while the hearing was in recess.
Ira also testified on May 5 before the Senate Investigations and Government Operations committee about the finances of the MTA and the prospects of ongoing structural deficits. This hearing was chaired by Senator Marcellino and attended by newly elected Long Island Senators Martins and Zeldin. In this testimony, he emphasized the role of the legislature in creating this situation by removing funding from the MTA and failing to adequately fund capital projects. Sheila Carpenter also attended the hearing and Ira called her to the witness table to take part in a discussion of the impact of Long Island Bus changes and mobility needs on Long Island. Copies of the prepared statements for both of these hearings are in your packets today.
Ira also made a point of insisting that the MTA’s railroads collect the fares that are due them. We have definitely made a difference by raising awareness in this area, but we can’t afford to relax on this issue as there are many tickets that are still going unchecked and uncollected. Today we will have Jim Compton from the LIRR with us to discuss fare collection on the railroad.
On May 1, Newsday published a story on debris along the LIRR tracks and the LIRR’s limited plans to address it. As you know, we have been talking with the Rail Road and the media about this issue for several years. Later that week, Newsday printed an editorial calling upon the LIRR to clean up the right of way and to keep it clean. Several legislators, including Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Charles Fuschillo, have called on the LIRR to clean up its rights of way, and MTA Long Island Committee Chair Mitch Pally has publicly acknowledged that the LIRR has not done a very good job of picking up after itself. While the LIRR committed to continue cleaning up parts of the right of way in connection with other projects and identified seven priority areas to be cleaned up, the plan needs to be more comprehensive and outline a schedule. We need to keep up the pressure to remove debris from the right of way and keep elected officials engaged as well.
Another issue that we need to continue pursuing is expanding the open hours of stations. Matt Kessler reported a situation where the Freeport station waiting room open hours did not match the hours posted on the internet. The problem turned out to be an error in the posted hours, but our request last year that the LIRR implement a pilot program to increase the time that waiting areas are kept open at three stations did not receive final approval. We need to refocus on the need to provide riders with a safe and comfortable place to wait for trains in all weather conditions. Winter will soon be with us again.
Gerry Bringmann reports that late last month he was once again on a train which missed the platform at Oakdale. From Gerry’s experience, the Oakdale station is much more susceptible to trains missing the platform than other locations, so we have asked the LIRR for an explanation of the number of trains that miss the Oakdale station, but have not yet received a response.
We’re also continuing to watch several issues involving fences. One of these is a fence at Wyandanch that has been raised as an issue by Mark Epstein on several occasions. Although we have been told by the LIRR that a “trouble ticket” has been written on it and it is in line for repair, we haven’t seen action yet. In addition, I noticed a downed fence at the Syosset station’s north parking lot that had blocked the path to a fifteen foot drop off. Staff reported the issue to the Town of Oyster Bay and was told that a work order had been given to a fencing company for repair of the damaged section of fence.
I hope that all of the members saw my email this week with a picture of the Madison Square Garden billboard displaying LIRR service information. We’re sending a letter of appreciation to MSG management applauding them for this service to LIRR riders. The LIRR now has access to both the Madison Square Garden billboard and Amtrak’s signboard above the 34th Street entrance to Penn Station, which we’ve discussed several times in the past. These exterior are a real step forward in our efforts to inform riders of service disruptions before they enter Penn Station and add to the dangerous conditions below. We will monitor the situation to ensure that MSG management continues to provide the LIRR with access to the billboard when arena renovations are complete and there are greater demands for announcements to appear on the billboard.
Under Old Business, we have copies of a draft poster for the Council available for the members’ review. Staff is currently talking with the LIRR about displaying the poster within the system and also making copies of the LIRRCC flyer available to riders at Penn Station.
Also under old business we will discuss the Council’s outreach strategy for the next year, a draft of which you received last month. We also need to discuss making visits to elected officials; a list of those who we should approach in our first round of meetings is included in your packet today. It may be more efficient for us to visit our state legislators as part of a Council delegation trip to Albany, and we can discuss this option as well. We also should talk about outreach to the public and other groups in the community in order to build support for our priorities.
Amtrak’s derailment in the East River tunnels this past Sunday has created yet another set of problems for riders, but the LIRR did a good job keeping riders informed and rolling out what I am calling a “disruption schedule” that riders could use to make travel plans.
Also important his week we heard some good news involving Amtrak. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that Amtrak would be receiving $700 million of high speed rail funding rejected by other states for improvements to the Northeast Corridor. The good news for the LIRR is that $294.7 million of this funding will go toward improvements and construction of by pass tracks in the Harold Interlocking, a set of switches in Sunnyside Yard through which both LIRR and Amtrak trains, as well as non-revenue NJ Transit trains, must pass. After this week, we can be particularly thankful for work that reduces bottlenecks in areas where the LIRR and Amtrak operate together.