Communication with officials

Bike Racks for M-8’s on Hold?

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:28:59 -0400

11 September 2009

Robert C. MacLagger
Metro-North Railroad
347 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3739

Dear Mr. MacLagger,

It has come to our attention through a reporter in contact with Metro-North media relations that efforts to design and construct bicycle racks for the M-8 cars are not moving forward at this time. Is this true?

In a conversation with Richard Stowe at the April 2009 Connecticut Rail Commuter Council meeting, you confirmed that a Request for Information (RFI) process for bike racks designed for M-8's and M-7's was already underway and that the requisite funds had been secured to move forward with a Request for Proposal (RFP) pending approval at the June MTA board meeting.

We understand that some very capable bike rack manufacturers participated in the Request for Information (RFI) process, and that stage has been successfully completed. However, it has been suggested to us that the Request for Proposal (RFP) process has not yet been initiated. Please confirm whether or not this is true.

We very much appreciate Governor Rell's order to include bikes-on-train parking in the M-8 cars. We also truly appreciate Metro-North and Connecticut DOT's commitment to the development of bike hook parking, which is state-of-the art both in terms of both passenger convenience and safety. We just want to be assured that despite the late start, Metro-North’s commitment to providing state of the art bike parking on the M-8 and M-7 trains will continue to move forward without delay.

Providing resources for bicycle commuters on Metro-North trains will benefit all passengers as these resources decrease motor vehicle use and put less strain on crowded Metro-North parking lots and garages, which may be contributing to a decrease in commuter train use.

We trust you to respond soon to this matter, and thank you for your continued attention.

Sincerely,

Richard Stowe, Jason Stockmann, Michael Norris, Mark Scott, Steve Bauman, Steven F. Faust, AICP, Bruce C. Johnson, Ken Coughlin, Neile Weissman, Zack Beatty, David Kooris
Rail*Trains*Ecology*Cycling

Daniel M. Bruckner, Media Relations Officer, Corporate Communications, Metro-North Railroad
Joseph Marie, Commissioner of Transportation, State of Connecticut
Christopher W. Tymniak, Director, Southwest Office, Office of Governor Jodi M. Rell
Tom Kehoe, State Representative, District 31, Vice-Chair Transportation Committee (CT)
Mary Mushinsky, State Representative, District 85 (CT)
Patricia Dillon, State Representative, District 92 (CT)
Bill Perkins, State Senator, District 30 (NY)
Hunter Smith, Secretary, Elm City Cycling
Paul Steely White, Executive Director, Transportation Alternatives
Caroline Sampanaro, Director of Bicycle Advocacy, Transportation Alternatives
Ray Rauth, Community Relations, Sound Cyclists Bicycle Coalition
Vince DiMarco, Chairman, Greenwich Safe Cycling
Deb Dauphinais, Advocacy Chair, Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance
Woody Bliss, First Selectman, Weston; Chair, Southwest Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization

Governor Rell signs bike bill

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 23:44:10 -0400

STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106
M. Jodi Rell Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 4, 2009
Contact:
860-524-7313
Governor Rell Signs Bill Aimed at
Boosting Bicycle, Pedestrian Access

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has signed into law a bill intended to improve access for pedestrians and bicyclists by directing 1 percent of future highway and street funds to such purposes and establishing an advisory board to work with the Governor, the Department of Transportation and the Legislature in the future.

            Under the bill, beginning October 1, 2010, a minimum of 1 percent of the total funds received by the DOT or Connecticut municipality in any fiscal year for street and highway construction, restoration, rehabilitation or relocation must be spent to provide facilities for “all users” – including bikeways and sidewalks with curb cuts or ramps.

            The law makes exceptions for resurfacing and for emergency repairs and other special situations, such as roads where non-motorized use is prohibited or the costs of “all-user” accommodations would be prohibitive.

            “Walking and bicycling are more than healthy lifestyle choices – for many Connecticut commuters, they are the way to get to work,” Governor Rell said. “We want to encourage that, not only because it’s good for personal fitness but because it removes congestion from our highways and pollutants – including greenhouse gases – from our skies. The bill also dovetails neatly with my Administration’s emphasis on smart growth and transit-oriented development, which calls for communities that make it easier for people to get to work, home and shopping without having to drive.

            “In addition, this bill creates a new, 11-member panel to ensure that the focus on ‘all-user’ transportation options continues to be a priority,” the Governor said. “The panel will promote programs and facilities that encourage alternatives to driving and help the state develop the best ways to promote this important option.”

            Under the bill, the DOT will also be required to report – once by October 1, 2009, and again by October 1, 2010 – on state- or federally funded projects that have been undertaken that contain bicycle and pedestrian access.

            The new law – Senate Bill 735, An Act Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Access – takes effect July 1.

Bureaucrat responds to Senator Bill Perkins

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 20:25:16 -0400

Howard Permut, President
MTA Metro-North Railroad
347 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3739

September 2. 2008

The Honorable Bill Perkins
New York State Senate, 30th District
163 West 125th Street, Suite 912
New York, NY 10027

Dear Senator Perkins:

Governor Paterson has asked me to respond to your letter concerning bicycle access on Metro-North’s M-8 rail cars that are currently on order.

Based on comments we received from bicycle advocates at a recent MTA Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee’s (PCAC) public meeting, Metro-North is conducting a comprehensive review of its policies and procedures relating to bicycle accommodation. The purpose of this review is to ensure that our current policies and future actions support Metro-North’s goal of accommodating bicycle access at our stations and on our rail cars to the greatest extent possible.

We have been meeting with key bicycle advocacy groups, including Richard Stowe of Rail*Trains*Ecology*Cycling, and we are now looking at design options that would better accommodate bicycles in the new M-8 cars while not further reducing the seating capacity for our current and growing ridership. When we are ready, a prototype design will be shown to these bike groups to gather input. Once we have selected bicycle design element for the M-8’s, it will then also be considered for inclusion in future orders for both new and modified rail cars.

The joint Metro-North/Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) bicycle permit policy serves a valuable legal purpose. As part of obtaining a bicycle permit, customers acknowledge that they have read and understand the bicycle access program regulations and agree to all the terms and conditions governing the use of a bicycle permit. By signing the application for the permit, the customer also releases Metro-North/LIRR from any liability arising out of the carriage of the bicycle including damage to the bike itself.

In addition we have taken several steps in recent years to make obtaining a bike permit easier and more convenient for our customers. For example, the railroads jointly created a single bicycle permit that is valid on both Metro-North and LIRR trains. Customers have the option to both print a bicycle permit application from the MTA website, and then mail it in, or when boarding a train without a bicycle permit, customers are allowed to purchase one on-board and then take the cash fare receipt to any ticket office to obtain an actual permit. In addition, since March 1, 2008, both railroads now sell bicycle permits at all outlying ticket offices.

Metro-North cannot eliminate the current restrictions of bicycles on our trains during peak time periods due to limited capacity at these times when our ridership is the highest.

We are always looking to improve oour service for our customers and, as such, Metro-North will continue to look at ways to improve accommodation of bicycle access aboard our trains. In fact, Metro-North provides unrestricted use of folding bicycles aboard our trains and we work with organizers of numerous bike events held each year by promoting their events and both the need for a bike permit as well as the quantity limits for bikes on board trains during these events.

I appreciate your interest in this matter and thank you for your writing.

Sincerely,

Howard Permut

Cc: H. Dale Hemmerdinger, MTA Chairman
Governor’s Correspondence Office – 35001B

Perkins to Paterson: more bikes on trains

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:27:42 -0400

Senator Perkins to Governor Paterson: support bikes-on-trains-at-peak hours!

After meeting with four New York City cycling advocates: Ken Coughlin (Transportation Alternatives), Steve Faust (5 Borough Bicycle Club), Neile Weisman (New York Cycle Club) and myself on July 31st, Senator Perkins sent the following letter to Governor David Paterson in the first half of August:

The Honorable David A. Paterson
Governor
State of New York
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

RE: Bicycle Access on M-8 Rail Cars
Metro-North Railroad

Dear Governor Paterson,

Over the past few weeks my office and various bicycle advocacy groups have been working on achieving the goal of allowing bicyclists access to Metro-North Trains during peak hours, and to equip the new Kawasaki M-8 trains with adequate space for the placement of bicycles aboard the trains without sacrificing space for other riders.

Here in New York, an engaged community group, Rails Trains Ecology Cycling, has joined with similar statewide organizations to advocate for specific changes to the design of the M-8 cars, as well as retrofit modifications to existing cars. These organizations have put forward a thoughtful plan to allow for example, vertical storage of up to four (4) bicycles replacing a 4-seat section on every other car.

Likewise, we need to work together to change existing Metro-North policies related to bicycle access to trains. Metro-North currently has a permit process as well as peak-hour restrictions in place. Both policies put an undue burden on those wishing to bring their bicycles on trains. We have made great strides as a state, welcoming bikes on our public buses and on our streets. It is well past time to take the next important step and create a welcoming, design-appropriate rail system for the state’s cycling community.

In the midst of soaring energy prices, and mounting concern over carbon emissions, it is more important than ever that New York invest in alternatives to the automobile. Successful multi-modal transportation will play an increasingly important role in New York’s economic success in the coming decades. Bicycles provide an excellent way to reduce congestion, oil dependency, and emissions, all while promoting public health, but this potential can only be realized if bicycles are integrated seamlessly with the rest of the transportation infrastructure. Your request for the inclusion of bicycle storage on the new M-8 cars and allowing bicyclists on trains during peak hours is an important step in this direction.

Peak hour restrictions currently prevent many people from using their bicycles in conjunction with Metro North to get to work, leaving them either to cycle very long distances or to abandon cycling in favor of driving. The result of this is more cars on New York’s already overburdened highways, and increased traffic congestion and parking demand around train stations.

While providing adequate storage on the new M-8 rail cars for bicyclists, Metro-North should not pit rail car user against rail car user over adequate space, in this case, bicycle riders against disabled riders. In pursuing that end, the bicyclists' advocacy groups and I suggest two design options to allow for dedicated bicycle parking areas on trains.

• Set aside an area adjacent to the vestibule in every other car separate and distinct from disability space, in which up to three bicycles may be parked vertically. We believe this to be the most space-efficient method, which in turn minimizes loss of seats per car.

• Use a section of the M-8 bar cars for bicycle parking, while retaining the 28 seats planned for the M-8 bar cars (no loss of seating.)

¬ Bar cars will be more fully utilized with the inclusion of bicycle parking since beverage service on bar cars does not commence until noon.

I would appreciate your direct involvement in this matter. I understand time is of the essence, but Metro-North officials indicate there still is time to affect a positive outcome. Thank you for your consideration.

Very truly yours,

Bill Perkins
Senator, 30th District

Rell to DOT: increase bicycle storage on M-8's

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:05:09 -0400

State of Connecticut
Executive Chambers
M. Jodi Rell, Governor

June 6, 2008

Mayor Johm DeStefano, Jr.
Office of the Mayor
165 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510

Dear Mayor DeStefano:

Thank you for your letter of May 27, 2008 regarding bicycle access to the Metro-North M-8 rail cars. I share your concern that the new rail cars provide adequate bicycle storage.

To that end, the Department of Transportation, at my direction, is in the process of reviewing the design of the M-8 cars and will propose modifications of the design to increase bicycle storage. Since these cars are not scheduled to be delivered until 2009, there is sufficient time to modify the design without delaying the scheduled delivery.

I would also note that the Department of Transportation has installed new bike racks at stations along the line and they will review their policies concerning bicycle access.

Thank you once again for your input. Please be assured that we all share the goal of making the Metro North rail cars more bike-friendly.

Sincerely,

Jodi Rell
Governor

Destefano: Bikes on trains at peak Hours

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:53:07 -0400

Office of the Mayor
165 Church Street
New Haven, Connecticut 06510

John DeStefano, Jr.
May 27, 2008

The Honorable M. Jodi Rell
Governor
State of Connecticut
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

RE: Bicycle Access – M8 Rail Cars
Metro-North Railroad, New Haven Line

Dear Governor Rell,

City staff and many interested citizens inspected the sample M* rail on display at Union Station last week. Many thanks to you and Acting Commissioner James Boice for that opportunity. This level of citizen input is rarely seen with rail projects and this new effort did not go unnoticed.

I did want to share with you one prevailing concern: the lack of attention to bicycle storage related not only to the design of the car but also to the policies which govern bicycle access on the rail system.

Here in New Haven, an engaged community group, Elm City Cycling, has joined with similar statewide organizations to advocate for specific changes to the design of the M-8 cars, as well as retrofit modifications to existing cars. These organizations have put forward a thoughtful plan to allow for example, vertical storage of up to four (4) bicycles replacing a 4-seat section on every other car.

Likewise, we need to work together to change existing Metro-North policies related to bicycle access to trains. Metro-North currently has a permit process as well as peak-hour restrictions in place. Both policies simply are not acceptable. We have made great strides as a state, welcoming bikes on our public buses and on our streets. It is well past time to take the next important step and create a welcoming, design-appropriate rail system for the state’s cycling community.

I would appreciate your direct involvement in this matter. I understand time is of the essence, but CDOT and Metro-North officials indicate there still is time to affect a positive outcome. Thank you for your consideration.

Very truly yours,
John DeStefano, Jr.
Mayor

cc. James Boice, Acting Commissioner, CDOT
Thomas Cheesman, Chair, Connecticut Public Transportation Commission