Latimer Takes Straphanger Concerns to Metro-North
State Assemblyman plans to report commuter concerns to Metro North Railroad next month.
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Don't be surprised if you see New York State Assemblyman George Latimer on the train platform over the next few days. He's been personally canvassing straphangers at New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Rye and Port Chester.
"I've been reaching out to commuters regularly - I was one myself for many years - and I'm trying to get both qualitative as well as quantitative input," Latimer noted.
Latimer will take commuter concerns directly to Metro North Railroad management next month. "Many commuters are angry and cynical and don't want to discuss it. But whoever is willing to share their opinions will find me a willing listener. Some politicians and candidates go out on the platform simply to shake hands before an election. I'm there to help channel rider input into making things better"
Apparently he's getting an earful. "Some of the comments are tied to the tired, deteriorating rolling stock that has been in place for 40 years. Clearly, riders want the new M8 cars on every train, not just a few trains. Some of the comments relate to local station maintenance issues, and to on-going platform communications, so riders know what's happening when train service slows down or stops. There's a lot of work to do to address the diverse problems raised."
tedc
1:52 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
“Clearly, riders want the new M8 cars on every train, not just a few trains.”
No, No, No and No.
The New M8’s are surprisingly short of seats for typical rush hour peak loads. I’ve been speaking with my engineer buddies about this for a few weeks and they readily admit that the M8 onboard mechanical systems, larger bathrooms and the separate private crew cabs have robbed the passenger seating numbers per car pretty significantly.
And the rub is the MTA is not adding to train length to compensate – in fact this morning I was told a new MTA gambit is to separate some of the married pairs of M8’s so as to attach a solo car to the end of an otherwise paired train – allowing a 5 car train instead of a standard 6 car train. Take it from a 30 year man - this is nonsense from a passenger perspective, especially during rush.
And the new bathrooms with their newly powerful fans are NOT smelling so good on many of the trains. Many passenger complaints between the seats about these annoyingly familiar stenches.
And get this - my college roommate’s politician brother now ludicrously heads up the MTA.
Hey Joe - Get with the Program!
Greg Tart
3:42 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tedc- thank you for this remarkably informative comment. Maybe you should run for office?
Stuy Guy
5:51 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Ah, tedc and Greg Tart!
Always a negative comment whenever we need one! Nothing, I mean nothing, is ever satisfactory, is it?
I rode the M8s twice and they are a BIG improvement.
tedc
6:07 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Twice? Twice?
See my feature story on MyRye on the "new" M8's from last summer. That's what all "newbies" think.
Greg Tart
6:13 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
tedc- the conductors don't seem to like them either.
Stuy Guy
3:36 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012
So now, over 6 weeks later, the GOP chair of Bronxville is attacking him for conducting this polling of commuters! I suppose if he does his job every day as an Assemblyman, that's objectionable to the GOP. The Republican pols are showing their true colors...it's all about WIN BABY WIN, and SMEAR BABY SMEAR!