Fairfield—State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) will be holding a trackside press conference at the Fairfield Metro Station. He will brief reporters on Metro-North’s lack of transparency over implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
Background: After a series of accidents a few years ago, Metro-North committed to installing PTC to improve safety on the railroad. Metro-North has stated that PTC will be installed by the December 31, 2018 deadline. However, the railroad says the system will not be “fully operational.” Metro-North has also stated it has the right to submit “an alternative schedule for up to two additional years to have PTC fully activated across all parts of the railroad upon filing the paperwork with Federal regulators.”
Dismayed at this potential for a two-year delay, Sen. Hwang sent a letter to the president of Metro-North and copied southwestern Connecticut’s federal delegation and Connecticut DOT Commissioner James Redeker. The letter was sent on August 29th and resent September 12th. After nearly three weeks, Sen. Hwang has still not gotten a response from Metro-North.
What: Press Conference
Who: State Sen. Tony Hwang
Where: Fairfield Train Station, 165 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield, CT 06430 (New Haven track)
When: Thursday, September 20th 11 a.m.