Talmadge Hill (Metro North station)

Description

The station is 39 miles (63 km) away from Grand Central Terminal, between Springdale and New Canaan stations, the latter of which is the line's terminus. No connecting buses are available.

The Talmadge Hill station has a central shelter typical of other small stations on the New Haven line. The shelter seats eight. Right next to it, the station has a second shelter for commuters to stand in and, at both ends of the long platform, two smaller shelters, also without seats. Parking is on several terraced levels. There are 2 parking lots to the west of the station and to the east there are 6 lots. The 2 lots furthest to the east are for daily parking which is $5 per day. There is no overnight parking for daily customers. All other lots are for monthly commuters who must be residents of New Canaan.

The station is close to CT15 ( The Merritt Parkway ) and CT106

Ownership and upkeep

The station is owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, and the New Canaan town government owns the 311-space parking lot, except for 18 spaces just across the tracks from the platform.

In 1998, the state began a 10-year lease (ending June 30, 2008) to the town 2.35 acres (9,500 m²) at both the Talmadge Hill and New Canaan Stations, allowing the town to perform some maintenance, repairs and cleaning while the state retains responsibility and control over major structural renovations and repairs. Money collected for parking goes into a special fund to be used for station-related purposes with the state's approval, and the state also must approve parking-fee regulations. The town has the option of renewing the lease for another 10-year term. Part of the agreement reads:

"The state retains the sole responsibility for structural renovations and/or repairs and for maintaining and restoring all fencing bordering the tracks, canopies over the platforms, and stairways. The Town is solely responsible for all day-to-day maintenance, including, but not limited to, general structural repairs, snow removal, trash removal and security of any and all platforms, railings, stairs, shelters and ramps."

The town's services to the two railroad stations are provided by three town agencies and a private cleaning company hired by the town:

The town Public Works Department, which reports directly to the first selectman (the elected, chief executive officer of the town government);

The town police department, which does not report formally to the first selectman;

The town Department of Parking Operations, which reports directly to the town Parking Commission

A private company hired for "housekeeping" and cleaning, which reports directly to the first selectman.

According to a 2003 report written for the state Department of Transportation, the town did not have a formal organization chart showing how responsibilities for its train stations were divided up, although the town appeared to be maintaining at least the New Canaan Station well, and anyone with a complaint was encouraged to take it to the Office of the First Selectman.

Station layout

This station has one four-car-long high-level side platform to the west of the track.