Provided you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard that Metro-North has been hosting customer forums where riders can meet president Joe Giulietti, and pretty much ask him anything. Yesterday’s forum was at White Plains, so I left work a few minutes early to head to the station and meet Metro-North’s new president.

Mr. Giulietti is a rather affable fellow that didn’t seem to mind getting asked “why are trains under 5 minutes and 59 seconds late not considered late?” for the five millionth time by discouraged riders. Along with Mr. Giulietti were other representatives of Metro-North, including John Kesich, senior vice president of operations, Randall Fleischer, Director of Business Development, Mark Mannix, Director of Corporate & Public Affairs, and Marjorie Anders, spokesperson for Metro-North.

My brief chat with the president revolved around the more light-hearted subjects of “how many additional gray hairs have you gotten since you’ve been here,” and “are you absolutely crazy for moving back to the northeast from Florida during the winter?” And while the for-public-consumption story may be that both he and his wife still have family in the northeast, I think the unspoken answer was that he really thinks that he can help Metro-North, a railroad that after last year had pretty much hit rock bottom. To speak such words aloud, however, would be pure hubris. There is no easy or simple fix for Metro-North. Changes will take months, even years. But it seems that the new captain at the helm has the skills to do the job, priorities in the right spot, and isn’t afraid or uncomfortable to rub elbows with the customers that ride his trains. (For the record, I did not ask Mr. Giulietti if he liked April Fools’ jokes).

If you’re interested in meeting with Metro-North’s president to ask a question, or to even say hello, there will be four more customer forums:
• April 10: Stamford Station, Across from Ticket Office (In Station), 5 PM-7 PM
• May 1: Grand Central, Main Concourse, 7 AM-9 AM
• May 6: Croton-Harmon Station, Across from Ticket Office (In Station), 5 PM-7 PM
• May 14: Harrison Station, Eastbound Platform (near elevator), 5 PM-7 PM

 
  
  

Even the mayor of White Plains, Tom Roach, stopped by the station to speak with Metro-North’s new president.

Although not the star of yesterday’s show, one of my other favorite guests at the station made an appearance… MTA PD K9 Patriot!