Transportation Commissioner James Redeker Says Metro-North Cannot Be Replaced

Some State Republicans want the state to have a choice in who runs the Metro-North Railroad, but Connecticut’s Commissioner of Transportation, James Redeker, cautioned legislators against replacing Metro-North as the operator of the New Haven line.

Report by Paula Antolini
February 13, 2015 2:26AM EDT

metronorthtrainbethel

Some State Republicans want the state to have a choice in who runs the Metro-North Railroad, but Connecticut’s Commissioner of Transportation, James Redeker, cautioned legislators against replacing Metro-North as the operator of the New Haven line.

commissioner-james-redeker-5x7_3156c
Photo above: Connecticut’s Commissioner of Transportation James Redeker.

Republican Senator Toni Boucher of Wilton and Republican Senator Tony Hwang of Fairfield recently introduced legislation to have the state Department of Transportation put Metro-North’s contract out for competitive bids.

BoucherHwang
Photo above: Republican Senator Toni Boucher of Wilton and Republican Senator Tony Hwang of Fairfield.

Redeker does not think it is a good idea to replace Metro-North because it’s not practical. He indicated that no other company in the country has the staffing and technical skills to run the New Haven line and three branch lines. He called it the most complex and difficult to deliver service in the country.

Metro North’s 60-year contract needs reviewing with the state this year so Connecticut can decide on changes in how the railroad is operated.

Redeker urges caution based on past history when changes were sought in the 90’s and the case went to arbitration which cost the state millions of dollars.

7 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.