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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIRRSOUTHOLD TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ITo~m Hall 530~5 Main Road Southold, NY 11971-0959 ~ phofla (631) 765~1958 ~ Fax (631) 765-3136 Deecmbcr 2, 2002 Mr. Brian P. Dolan Vice President Market Development & Public Affairs MTA Long Island Rail Road Jamaica Station Jamaica, New York 114354380 Dear Mr. Dolan: The town of Southold is confronted no~v by serious traffic problems for most of the year. The comnUssion believes that the MTA LIRR could alleviate the situation facing our roads by providing better train service to the North Fork. Toward that end, we ask you to review the final proposal we have to offer -- Investigate the feasibility of increasing the speed limit to 60 mph between Ronkonkoma and Riverhead. Namely, this proposal would provide the following results: -- Improve overall travel time to the North Fork; -- Allow afternoon train that lays over in Riverhead to be extended either to Mattituck or Southold; -- Not require installation of a new signal system as trains could be operated under "manual block" as on the Montauk Branch; -- Not require more equipment; -- Require modification of some grade crossings between Ronkonkoma and Riverhead, but none of the crossings between Riverbead and Greenport; and, -- Improve railroad service to the North Fork at minimal cost to the MTA LIRR. Enclosed is a copy of an October 11 letter from Ms. Joan Bertron which describes graphically the plight of current Long Island Railroad customers on the North Fork for your review. Thank you for working with the lown of Southold to maintain the quality of life which is cherished by both residents and visitors alike. Enclosure a/s I am writing to ask for your guidance and assistance in curing a public service wrong that Long Island Railroad customers on the north fork corridor are faced with each and every day. As an elected official, I am confident that you will help facilitate a solution. As you may know, the schedule on the north fork corridor of the Ronkonkoma Branch (Greenport Line) is limited and inefficient and does not meet the growing needs of customers living on the north fork and towns and villages along the corridor. Commuters from Medford to Greenport are faced each day with inadequate train service, limited schedules, opened platform shelters and no public address systems. At the Medford station, the parking lot is'deplorable. Limited trains service is especially problematic as it keeps us from being able to reach our families in emergency situations or sickness. There is one train out in the morning and one train back in the evening. This inadequate time schedule is of great concern. More frustrating is that the evening train from Ron[conkoma to the north fork corridor is'frequently late, and the statistical informati0n~provided to the commuters' reporting on-time service is fictional. And more insulting is when the north fork corridor connection is canceled, which is becoming more often, the LIRR moves adult-sized human beings in a school bus built for children that are uncomfortable and climate control-a foreign concept. The railroad also bas been known to leave north fork corridor riders stranded in Ronkonkoma. Taxi service is in excess of $30 one-way. The schedule also does not service commuters who travel to other locations on Long Island. And the Friday evening train during the summer months is just intolerable "one car" so year round commuters can stand while seasonal commuters sit. My major concern is the time factor involved commuting from the north fork. For example, a one-way trip from Mattituck to Penn Station takes 2 hours and 32 minutes. Of course, mo~t commuters then use other modes of transportation to get to their final destinations. The LIRR does not transport me a~ the same speed it moves other customers. Page 2 Trains are moving other commuters at safe speeds up to 70-75 miles per hour. My dilemma, the railroad moves me at 35-40 miles per hour between Ronkonkoma and the noah fork. This one-hour trip would take only 30 minutes if the same speed regulations applied. May I bring to your attention that during the 1960's the LIICR. moved people at 60 miles an, hour through this corridor and the train m.ad.._ee~ore station itops than it does toda~ It has been brought to my attention that this reduce speed regulation is caused by inadequate track beds and signal timing. As you know, this is not a consumer issue. The railroad must be required to update its equipment and provide equal service to all its customers. As the highest paying customers $251 per month, we are entitled to. the same services provided .to riders from mid and western Suffolk, Nassau and Queens counties. It also is bothersome to read in Newsday and Suffolk Life recent aaides regarding the 1.5 million dollar funding for the refurbishment of the rail into the Enterprise Park in Calverton when loyal north fork corridor LIRR customers have expressed their concerns and issues with Mr. Kenneth Bauer, President LIRiL which have not been addressed. The only remedy Mr. Bauer offered to the north fork corridor rider ship was a meeting at the Ronl(onkoma station where he provided a group with "lip service." The funding for this Calverton project may be important for the future of the north east end; however, our problem is Unow" and it requires a solution. If the LIRR provided more trains during the rush hour people Would ride the LIRR instead of driving 35 minutes to Ronkonkoma station. As the north east corridor continues to grow, taxpayers need to be able to get to New York City and points west safely and quickly. I trust you will be helpful in assisting me and look for~vard to hearing from you. Sincerely, Jamaica Station Jamaica, NY 11435-4380 718-558-8228 Kenneth J. Bauer President Long Island Rail Road May 24, 2002 Neboysha R. Brashich Southold Transportation Commission Town Hall 53095 Main Road Southold, NY 11971-1938 Dear Mr. Brashich: I am in receipt of your April 30, 2002, follow-up letter regarding track upgrading on the MTA Long Island Rail Road's Main Line east ofRonkonkoma. I appreciate your continued interest in our service through Southold. At present, our track on the Main Line from Ronkonkoma to Greenport is Federal Railroad Administration Class III trackage. In order to operate at speeds of 65 miles per hour, Class IV standards are required. Improving the line to Class IV standards would be a major undertaking, involving a complete rebuild of the track structure -- including the installation of heavier rail. There are 58 grade crossings on the Main Line east of Ronkonkoma. In order to operate at 65 m.p.h., all of them would need retiming -- including the ones you mention in Riverhead and Greenport. In addition, running at the higher speed would require the installation of a signal system. As you are aware from previous correspondence, the Main Line east of Ronkonkoma operates under "manual block" rules, a system that is safe and acceptable with our current speeds and level of service, but would not be appropriate for a line with additional service and higher speeds. Per your organization's request, I asked our Engineering Department to come up with a rough estimate of the costs of such projects, and they were able to provide a rough figure of $53 million. This would include only the track upgrade, grade crossing improvement, and signal system work. It does not include related work like upgrading stations or bridges where necessary, nor does it include costs associated with New York State Department of Transportation involvement in the crossing improvements (a requirement whenever rail-highway crossing work is undertaken). Of course, improving the infrastructure is only one part of the issue. Another major factor is equipment. At present, we just don't have additional "spare" diesel equipment that could be reassigned to North Fork service, and the underlying factor preventing us from obtaining additional equipment -- or taking action on these other improvements -- is capital funding. Our current capital program does not include funds for such projects, and no additional sources of funding have been identified. MTA Long Island Rail Road is an agency of the Metropolitan Transpodation Authority, State of New York Peter S. Kalikow, Chairman Neboysha R. Brashich May 24, 2002 Page 2 However, despite current capital and equipment restraints, we continue to welcome input from our East End customers, and will continue to explore the options for service improvements. I thank you once again for writing and for your continued interest. If I may be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Brian P. Dolan Vice President Market Development & Public Affairs