1. (NEW) What "quality of life" issues for rail riders (for example, quiet cars, cleanliness, adequate seating, on-time performance) do you think are most in need of addressing right away?

2. (NEW) What can you suggest for improving conditions for passengers during breakdowns, delays, and power outages?

3. (NEW) Does Metro North need to achieve better coordination between train and bus schedules? What can be done to improve this?

4. (NEW) What input do you think the council will have or should have on pending and future planning and decision making for proposed new stations? In your opinion, is there a need for more train stops or express train services?

5. (NEW) Do you think enough is being done to develop the three branch lines (Waterbury, Danbury, and New Canaan) to their maximum potential? Will new services such as the shuttle bus services from Connecticut locations to stations on the New York Metro North lines help the branch lines achieve some of their potential? What more needs to be done?

6. (NEW) By establishing the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board in 2001, the legislature has embarked the state on what could be a sweeping new approach to linking the state's economic and transportation decisions. Each of five transportation regions has developed corridor plans for consideration in developing an overall state transportation strategy. How do you think the council should be best integrated into this process and the board's deliberations?

7. (NEW) What are your views on rail service security issues in the environment created by the September 11 terrorist attacks? Do you see the need for additional security procedures for protecting rail passengers?

8. (NEW) Track fatalities are infrequent along the Metro North and Shoreline East services but disturbing nonetheless. With the addition of the high speed Amtrak Acela services along the corridor, do you think track safety is an area that may need additional attention?

9. (NEW) Has integration of the Acela service into the mix of rail services on the New Haven corridor posed any significant problems thus far? Do you see any on the horizon?

10. (NEW) What impact, both positive and negative, do you think the new Shoreline East intrastate service between Old Saybrook and Stamford will have on the system infrastructure and operations that could affect service issues?

11. (NEW) What issues do the continuing maintenance costs for aging equipment and system infrastructure raise for the council with respect to overall system performance and service reliability?

12. (NEW) What is being done with respect to improvements in feeder bus or other types of station-to-employment circulation capabilities along the Shoreline East Metro North corridor? Where must this be accelerated?

13. (NEW) Can anything more be done to make the rail commuting system more user friendly for customers whose "park-and-ride" mode for getting to and from the trains is a bicycle instead of a car?

14. The council's statutory charge is to study and investigate all aspects of the daily operation of the New Haven commuter line, monitor its performance, and recommend changes to improve service efficiency and quality. Are you satisfied with this role or do you believe the council could play a different or expanded role? If so, what would this be?

15. The council's membership includes representation for Shoreline East riders, but its charge has little to do with the line's operations. Do you think the council's charge should be revisited by the legislature to expand or enhance its role in some way to reflect a broader focus than the New Haven line service?

16. Do you think the Shoreline East service is adequately integrated into the state's commuter rail concepts and operations? If not, what would you suggest?

17. How would you characterize the contractual relationship between Connecticut, New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro North, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation? Do you believe Connecticut functions as an equal partner in this relationship? In what ways do you think Connecticut's role in this partnership can be strengthened?

18. Do you think there is currently a coherent fare policy for commuter rail service in Connecticut-one that adequately accommodates both interstate and intrastate use of the rail line?

19. What do you perceive as the most important issues for commuter rail service in Connecticut-parking availability, station quality, service quality, cost, or something else?

20. In your opinion, are planned and undertaken improvements to rail station parking facilities proceeding adequately? If not, what do you perceive as the problems? What role do you think the council can play in resolving some of the issues between the municipalities and the state that seem to make it so difficult to implement these much needed expansions in station parking capacity?

21. Are you satisfied with how Metro North and MTA are responding to the council's input?

22. Some have suggested that Connecticut seek a seat on the MTA board of directors. Do you think such action is warranted?

JJF: eh