This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ THE DREAMERS - NOW PLAYING Set against the turbulent political backdrop of 1968 France when the voice of youth was reverberating around Europe, THE DREAMERS is a story of self-discovery as three students test each other to see just how far they will go. THE DREAMERS is released uncut with an NC-17 rating. Watch The Dreamers trailer at: http://www.thedreamers.com \----------------------------------------------------------/ Plan Offered to Accelerate Purchase of Rail Cars March 2, 2004 By ROBERT F. WORTH HARTFORD, March 1 - Gov. John G. Rowland and legislative leaders announced a plan on Monday to accelerate the purchase of rail cars for Metro-North's New Haven line, which has struggled through a winter of delays and breakdowns. The plan, announced by Mr. Rowland and the House speaker, Moira K. Lyons, would add $25 million to the $35 million already set aside for rail purchases by a state transportation panel and make the full amount available immediately. The additional money, which would come from bond proceeds, will be used to buy about 20 new or used cars and several locomotives, a project that would otherwise not have begun for another 18 months, state officials said. "The events of this winter have clearly demonstrated the need to accelerate the purchase of this equipment," Mr. Rowland said in a statement. Thanks to cold weather, snow and age, 120 of the New Haven line's 343 cars were out of service at various times during January, causing a number of canceled trains. The New Haven line trains, many dating from the early 1970's, are easily damaged by powdery snow, which works its way inside motors and shorts out electronic components. The additional cars could be ready as soon as several months from now if suitable used cars are available for purchase, said Harry P. Harris, the chief of the Connecticut Department of Transportation's Bureau of Public Transportation. Buying new cars would take longer, he said. "This will help, but it's nowhere near what we need," said James Cameron, vice chairman of the Connecticut Metro-North Rail Commuter Council, a watchdog group created by the State Legislature. "The problems we had this winter will persist." The added cars, known as M-8's, are separate from the new M-7 rail cars that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is buying for use elsewhere in its commuter network, including 120 cars whose purchase was blocked by a New York State panel on Friday. The proposal, which would require enactment by the Legislature, leaves about $15 million in an account for additional transportation projects around the state, such as extending some train lines and expanding bus service. Mr. Rowland also asked state budget and transportation officials on Monday to report back to him within 60 days on a plan to replace the state's entire 30-year-old rail fleet. The cost of that project will run into the billions, Mr. Harris said. For now, transportation officials are renovating the current fleet by replacing critical parts. In addition, Mr. Rowland sent a letter on Monday to United States Representative Christopher Shays in which he opposed Mr. Shays's proposal to help pay for new rail cars with a state gasoline tax increase. Mr. Rowland urged Mr. Shays to focus on the reauthorization of the federal highway financing bill, which in its current form provides a smaller increase to Connecticut than to any other state in the country. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/02/nyregion/02trains.html?ex=1079238186&ei=1&en=e11d7141ebfa95bd --------------------------------- Get Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Imagine reading The New York Times any time & anywhere you like! Leisurely catch up on events & expand your horizons. Enjoy now for 50% off Home Delivery! Click here: http://www.nytimes.com/ads/nytcirc/index.html HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales@xxxxxxxxxxx or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help@xxxxxxxxxxxx Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company