Parking Issues, Rude Conductors Top Metro-North Problems
The CT Rail Commuter Council looks at areas of improvement that commuters have to deal with.
The CT Rail Commuter Council, a nonpartisan board appointed by the governor and legislators, is looking toward resolving ongoing issues that Metro-North riders face in 2012.
The Council, which advocates for commuters, issued the following descriptions of problem areas in a press release.
Communications
Communication is biggest single issue the Council deals with month to month, especially when service is disrupted. Metro-North and CDOT need faster, more detailed communication with riders on trains, at stations and using all electronic media.
New M8 Deliveries
Already more than a year late in delivery, the Council is carefully monitoring construction, delivery and testing of new M8 rail cars.
Ticket Refunds
The Council is opposed to MNR's new policy that one-way tickets are valid for only 14 days and ten-trip tickets expire after six months, half of their old validity period. The Council has also expressed concern over the railroad's new policy of charging $10 to refund valid tickets.
Conductors
The Council receives regular complaints about rude conductors and shares these with Metro-North. The railroad promises retraining of all on-board personnel and the Council will monitor this process.
Stamford Transportation Center
Improvements to the existing facility to enhance safety and operations, along with progress on replacement or rehabilitation of the parking structure are needed with transparency to the public, commuters, and elected officials.
Station Parking
For more than a decade the Council has pushed for expanded, affordable parking at stations to eliminate a 5-plus year waiting list for permits.
Lynn
6:24 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
I feel a complaint should be lodged regarding the rudeness of the parking lot men directing traffic in the AM at the station. Nothing but short ,rude, unnecessary comments everyday. Everyone who is there just to drop off, may take longer than 15 seconds and the commuters work well together these guys are just over the top obnoxious. They need to retire.
nelson kwok
8:15 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
SECOND THAT!!!
Let's save some MONEY here...there's NO need for the parking lot traffic directing people....things worked quite well and smoothly on their own before someone decided that we needed traffic directors...
GET RID OF THEM & SAVE US SOME MONEY
R. Ludlowe
8:04 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
I'd like to add "leaking trains" to the list. I'm currently on one that is pouring water through the roof. Where ARE the new trains? Third world countries have better trains--and I get to pay $325/mo for this!
Jim Eastwood
8:44 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Hello Fair?? Field !!!
Maybe those workers have just had it with Rude riders !!!!!!
For Fairfield County is not known for its Warm Hearted people who demand so much !!!!!
Have a Great day and Just Say Thanks so time !!!!
Frederick Klein
8:59 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
I agree that the communication is lousy, and parking is an issue. But I don't know why there are complaints about rude conductors. My experience has been that rude passengers are more of a problem than rude conductors. And the rudest passengers are those who are not regular commuters who get on commuter trains and think we are supposed to bow to their needs.
cheating chas
10:04 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
thankyou Jim i agree totally
Anna Campbell
10:54 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
I completely agree with R. Ludlow's comment. Leaking trains seem to be happening more frequently. I have been commuting regularly to NYC via Metro-North for years and I am extraordinarily tired of navigating wet seats and huge puddles in the aisles whenever there is a storm. And when can an M8 run during peak rush hours? May regular commuters have just one, please? Haven't they been running long enough? The new trains seem to be saved for those who only go to the city to shop or see plays.
Chuck E. Arla
12:04 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
The homebound 6:29 from GCT has had the new cars for months.
Don't find rude conductors to be a problem but I've a beef with LAZY conductors: guys who never check PM tickets for Stamford boarders, never tell people to get their filthy feet off the seats, even on the brand new M8's, etc.
tonypct
2:02 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
My biggest complaint is the old freakin' cars that are still on the line. THOSE need to be retired. And soon!
Fairfield Resident
5:34 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
How about M-N Conductors that are allowed to park in "Permit Parking Only" spaces without having a permit?
I have pictures of a car that parks on the New Haven Bound side of the downtown Fairfield train station that always has a handwritten sign in the windshield that says "Metro-North Conductor".
I also saw that it was an actual M-N Conductor because he got off the train I take home in the afternoon and walked to the same car and left in it.
WTF?!
I have been waiting over 3 years for a Parking Permit (with what looks like another 5 YEARS to go) and this guy gets a free pass from the Fairfield Parking Cops that patrol the lots and write tickets?
Tim
8:00 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Absolutely agree MN sucks big time. The trains are disgusting in comparison to European trains for one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and one of the wealthiest counties in the country! Old, tired awful and attitude matching their conductors. No decent communications if there is a delay. MN is truly a 4th world service akin to India.
Lisa Wilson Grant
11:50 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Last Sunday we took a BRAND NEW Metro North rain home from the motorcylce show - it was great, all shiny new and bright red seats, so I guess there are some that are starting to be replaced!
tonypct
2:26 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Plus, you don't feel like you're in a boxing ring getting smacked around relentlessly by your opponent!