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Letter: Westport Rep. Lavielle Hopes For Metro-North Improvements

WILTON, Conn. -- The Daily Voice accepts signed letters to the editor. Send letters to letters@dailyvoice.com.

State Rep. Gail Laveille recently released a statement on changes required to improve Metro-North conditions.

State Rep. Gail Laveille recently released a statement on changes required to improve Metro-North conditions.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Rep. Lavielle's Office

To the editor: 

Three weeks ago, Mr. Joseph 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.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle

The Republican legislator represents the 143rd Assembly District towns of Wilton, Norwalk Westport.

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