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