HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A commuter advocacy group reorganized by the Connecticut legislature to broaden its oversight beyond Metro-North Railroad lacks members but not criticism.
Two top state lawmakers say expanding the panel to oversee two other rail lines — one of which is not yet running — has complicated the work of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council.
Jim Cameron, its former chairman, also has blasted the panel. He says it's become a watchdog without much of a bite.
Members of the panel and Sen. Andrew Maynard, a co-chairman of the legislature's Transportation Committee, say it's functioning well, considering it has greater responsibilities and that the state has added new Metro-North trains and increased Shoreline East service.
Metro-North faces increased scrutiny over three derailments in 2013, including one in New York that killed four passengers.
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