Senate Leadership
October 18, 2006
Williams, Ciotto, Mass Transit Advocates Urge State to Explore Unique Rail Car Purchase
Seek input of DOT on potential "piggybacking" of NJ purchase of double-deckers
State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and state Sen. Biagio "Billy" Ciotto, co-chair of the legislature's Transportation Committee, today asked the state Department of Transportation to assess the feasibility of Connecticut purchasing double-decker rail cars. The senators want to know whether the cars could be purchased less expensively and put into service sooner by "piggybacking" on the purchase of hundreds of the cars by the state of New Jersey.
"When the legislature was putting together the landmark transportation improvement bill last session, we fought hard to make sure mass transit was a top priority and a major component of the final agreement," Sen. Williams said. "In keeping with that important commitment, we believe that every innovative and cost-effective means of mass transit should be fully explored. That is why I am asking the state Department of Transportation to evaluate whether 'piggy-backing' on the New Jersey purchase of these double-decker rail cars is feasible and cost-effective for Connecticut."
"As legislators it would be irresponsible to ignore any prospective alternative in our search for relief to Connecticut's chronic traffic congestion," Sen. Ciotto said. "These double-decker railcars--with their potential to deliver additional passengers to a different midtown Manhattan destination--are certainly worthy of detailed analysis and thoughtful consideration."
The unique rail car purchase is supported the National Corridors Initiative, Inc., a national rail advocacy group. "We believe Connecticut has the opportunity to set an example for wise procurement of rail cars," said James RePass, President and Chief Executive Office of the group. "There is a traditional way to buy capitol equipment. In this case, New Jersey is buying hundreds of these cars. Should Connecticut determine this is the way to go, it could cut years off the time before people along the New Haven to Hartford to Springfield corridor and even the New London to Worcester corridor, can commute to work by rail."
RePass said the proposal could create an express train that would run from New Haven to Penn Station in New York City. Trains could be delivered in two years and put into service. It also creates the potential to use similar rail cars on the new Springfield to New Haven line, or possibly a New London to Worcester line.
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
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Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
