Blumenthal Issues Statement On Metro-North Progress To Meet Goals And Deadlines In 100-Day Plan

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today regarding Metro-North progress to meet goals and deadlines outlined in its 100 Day Plan to restore safety and reliability to the railroad:

“One hundred days ago, Metro-North made a public promise to commuters to adopt concrete measures to restore safety and reliability to its rail line. Unfortunately, that promise is far from fulfilled. Despite positive steps by new leadership and some progress in changing the culture of mismanagement, continued service disruptions and delays remind us how much is yet to be done to restore public confidence.

There is no question that the condition of our rail infrastructure has reached a crisis state—most notably the recurring failures of the 118-year old Norwalk Walk Bridge. Significant, immediate investment can no longer be delayed. I am fighting for federal funding for our bridges, tracks, equipment and other decaying infrastructure, but more money must be matched by better management. There is no excuse for further delay in the adoption and implementation of further life saving measures by Metro-North, including use of alerters, cameras, and confidential close call reporting, as well as immediate measures to improve on time performance. These deficiencies have accumulated over decades, and a heightened sense of urgency and energy is needed now to correct them.

I appreciate the steadfast commitment of Metro North workers to their riders, and the steps Metro-North leadership has made over the past 100 days to begin to restore confidence in the rail line, including its internal reorganization to reemphasize the paramount importance safety and reliability, as well as enhanced worker safety measures, stronger speed controls, compliance checks and improvements to its signal systems. Still, I remain deeply concerned by the alarming frequency of serious service disruptions due to both aging infrastructure, and in some cases improper management and oversight. Further, recent serious service disruptions have revealed ongoing shortcomings in communication with commuters causing added confusion and frustration that must be remedied immediately.

I will remain in close contact with President Giulietti and Chairman Prendergast to ensure that Metro-North is doing all it can, as quickly as possible to affect deep and sustained changes in the culture, operations and infrastructure of the railroad.”