GOVERNOR ROWLAND ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF USED RAIL CARS
FOR NEW HAVEN LINE
Accepts Report Calling for $1 Billion Investment in New Equipment

Governor John G. Rowland today announced the addition of 4,000 seats to Connecticut's rail commuter service by early fall while accepting a new $1.02 billion plan to purchase more than 300 new electric rail cars to replace and expand the state's aging fleet on the New Haven Line.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) is purchasing 38 used rail cars from Virginia Railway Express (VRE) that will quickly add approximately 4,000 seats to Connecticut's commuter rail service prior to the start of the fall commuting season. The cars are expected to arrive in Connecticut shortly and will be inspected and serviced over the summer. ConnDOT will also purchase some new locomotives to support the expanded fleet.

The State is making these purchases from $60 million authorized by the General Assembly and Transportation Strategy Board to provide additional rail commuter capacity on the New Haven Line. Governor Rowland directed ConnDOT and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to come up with a short term solution to alleviate rail line overcrowding and maintenance issues while working on the longer term plan.

“I am very pleased that we will be able to deliver some relief to our commuters within a few short months,” said Governor Rowland. “Now we must determine the most efficient way to finance the purchase of new cars over the next few years.”

The Governor also accepted from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and Department of Transportation (ConnDOT), a Rail Car Fleet Replacement Plan (Plan) for the purchase of additional rail cars to replace and expand the aging fleet of electric cars on the New Have Line.

The Rail Car Fleet Replacement Plan provides a framework for the replacement of the New Haven Line rail car fleet and construction of new maintenance facilities in New Haven through a collaborative effort between the ConnDOT, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Metro-North Commuter Railroad (Metro-North). This Plan is contingent upon approval by the MTA Board and the New York and Connecticut legislatures for financing.

In response to the Governor's February 2004 directive to develop a long-term strategy for replacing the New Haven Line rail fleet, OPM and ConnDOT, in consultation with Metro-North is proposing the purchase of approximately 340 new electric cars. The Plan presented to the Governor also identifies the need for new maintenance facilities in New Haven, to provide improved maintenance services and support the new fleet.

Under the Metro-North operating agreement, the cost of the new rail cars would be shared between the State of Connecticut and the MTA while the cost of the maintenance facility would be borne by the State of Connecticut. The total estimated cost of the two projects to Connecticut would be approximately $1.02 billion.

Over the next several months the Department of Transportation and the Office of Policy and Management will formulate a funding plan for submission to the 2005 General Assembly.

A copy of the letter transmitting the Fleet Replacement Plan is attached. A copy of the Fleet Replacement Plan is available by contacting Pam Sucato at 860-594-3013.