Hartford – Following the delivery of Metro-North President Joseph Giulietti’s

letter to Connecticut Transportation Commissioner James Redeker outlining

a 100-day plan to address the railroad’s operational and safety issues, State

Representative Gail Lavielle (R-143) released the following statement:

“Three weeks ago, Mr. Giulietti committed to presenting a 100-day plan for

addressing Metro-North’s grave performance and safety issues, and I am

pleased that he has kept his promise in a timely way. While many elements are

still missing, he makes it clear that three important external reviews are currently

in progress, and that he will include the results of those reviews in the plan as

soon as they are available. I believe he was right not to wait for those reviews to

begin taking steps toward improvement, because there are so many problems

that must be addressed urgently.

“Mr. Giulietti focuses appropriately on safety, reliability, and communications.

These are all areas that commuters have told me again and again are important

to them. At this point, they are at the end of their rope. Many are weary of being

asked to provide feedback and are now impatient for action and evidence that

real work is being done.

“Mr. Giulietti notes that a technical working group has been formed to identify the

source of the signal malfunctions on the Danbury Line. These problems have

stretched the daily commute of many passengers to three hours. Solving this

problem is of paramount importance for commuters who use the Danbury Line,

and I hope that it will be given top priority.

“Taking on a railroad with problems of this magnitude requires courage. I wish

Mr. Giulietti total, and rapid, success, and I hope to see the General Assembly

encourage and support the railroad’s improvement. I also hope that, together

with the MTA and Connecticut’s DOT, Mr. Giulietti will aim high enough. His letter

makes reference to returning Metro-North’s service to the levels of a year ago.

If Connecticut is to have a strong, modern, reliable, and safe railroad, Metro-
North must do better. While conditions have deteriorated substantially during

the past year, we must recognize that the railroad was already being plagued by

service disruptions, stranded-car incidents, and delays a year ago. Meanwhile,

commuters have been paying steadily more for service that has become steadily

worse. The railroad needs more than a fix: it needs a transformation.”