Commuter Council

Issues Report Card On Metro-North

STAMFORD (AP) — Advocates for Connecticut rail commuters say there is room for improvement on the Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven line.

The Connecticut Rail Commuter Council issued its annual report Monday and concludes that the rail line falls short on parking, seating, and adequate climate control.

The report will be presented this week to Gov M. Jodi Rell and state Department of Transportation officials.

While things have improved in recent years, the group contends that there is room for much more improvement.

Though the New Haven Line stands to improve because of the recent investment in new rail cars and maintenance facilities, the report should still serve as a “reality check” for state leaders who may be unaware of the current conditions, commuter council chairman Jim Cameron said.

“The council is not a cheerleader,” he said. “Our goals are to reflect the concerns of commuters. We’re nonpartisan and realistic.”

Cameron says that the reality includes no available parking for rail commuters at many stations. Most towns have waiting lists as long as four years, while some people who have monthly parking permits rarely use their spaces, “hoarding” them so others can’t take their spots, according to the report.

The report also says that New Haven Line commuters pay some of the highest fares in the country.