Category: Commmuters

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Reader says , “It’s tough for Ridgewood to compete with Midtown Direct Service”

Ridgewood_Train_station_train-_is_coming_theridgewoodblog

The Midtown Direct train ride through certain Essex County towns straight into Penn Station (34th street) in Manhattan remains the gold standard for NJ residents. It’s tough for Ridgewood to compete with that, even though we do enjoy the most convenient (i.e., combination of short and frequent trips from one train station) train service yo and from the Secaucus Transfer station of any town in Bergen County. Now that the inbound Lincoln Tunnel has been hobbled due to desperately needed road work, the permanent lane shutdown from this road work creates an unavoidable bottleneck that hurts the efficiency of the many Coach USA buses that carry commuters from the Ridgewood Park-n-Ride to Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd street) in NYC midtown. Hopefully that road work will be completed soon. Also hopefully, all of the West Bergen, Weehawken, Hoboken and Secaucus mayors are very polite to Governor Murphey and his political enforcers during this period of cross-Hudson traffic “difficulties”. Or is that just a republican problem (LOL).

https://theridgewoodblog.net/route-495-lane-closures-begin/
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NJ TRANSIT OFFERS EXTRA SERVICE AND SAVINGS FOR HOLIDAY WEEK

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  NJ TRANSIT is offering extra service during the holiday season to give customers more travel options and flexibility for attending special events, family gatherings and New Year’s Eve festivities.

In addition, NJ TRANSIT is giving customers almost two weeks of continuous savings through a special extension of the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows up to two children 11-years-old and younger to travel free with each fare-paying customer. The Family SuperSaver Fare will be in effect for the entire holiday period, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, December 21 until 6 a.m. Wednesday, January 2, on all trains, buses and light rail lines.

For complete schedule and fare information, download our app, visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

Saturday, December 22

NJ TRANSIT trains will operate on a weekend schedule. Bus routes will operate on a Saturday schedule. Newark Light Rail and River LINE will operate on a Saturday schedule. HBLR will operate on a weekend schedule. Customers should consult their timetable for the holiday schedule or visit njtransit.com for details.

Sunday, December 23

NJ TRANSIT trains will operate on a weekend schedule. Meadowlands service will operate for the Jets vs. Green Bay Packers game at 1pm.

Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24

NJ TRANSIT trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule, with select morning peak period trains cancelled and additional late morning trains operating on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines. Rail customers are encouraged to visit njtransit.com and check rail timetables for details and travel before 9 a.m. on these days, if possible, when ridership is lighter.  Newark Light Rail, HBLR, and River LINE will operate on a regular weekday schedule. Most buses will operate on a weekday or holiday schedule with “early getaway” service from Port Authority Bus Terminal. Customers are advised to consult their timetable for the holiday schedule or visit njtransit.com for details.

Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25

NJ TRANSIT trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines, including substitute bus service on the Gladstone Branch. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  Bus schedules vary by route. Customers can check timetables online at www.njtransit.com.  Select bus routes will operate fewer trips during the traditional morning and evening peak periods. Customers are advised to consult their timetable for holiday schedules or visit njtransit.com for more details.

On Wednesday, December 26, Thursday, December 27, Friday, December 28, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule with certain morning peak period trains cancelled and additional mid-to-late morning trains operating on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines. Rail customers are encouraged to visit njtransit.com and check rail timetables for details and travel before 9 a.m. on these days, if possible, when ridership is lighter.  Buses and light rail lines will operate on a weekday schedule. Selected PABT bus routes will have more frequent service operating inbound to PABT on some lines during the late morning hours and outbound from PABT during the early and late evening hours. Consult timetable or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for details.

On Saturday, December 29, trains will operate on a weekend schedule. Buses will operate on a regular Saturday schedule. Consult timetable or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for details. Newark Light Rail and River LINE will operate on a Saturday schedule. HBLR will operate on a weekend schedule.  Consult njtransit.com for more information.

On Sunday, December 30, trains will operate on a weekend schedule. Meadowlands service will operate for the Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys game at 1 p.m

On New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule (same as December 24, 26, 27 and 28) until 6 p.m. There will be no getaway service. In the evening, extra North Jersey Coast and Morris & Essex Lines trains will operate to New York .Special printable schedules that cover the period from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. on New Year’s morning will be available at njtransit.com by Friday, December 21. Rail travel information for New Year’s Eve will also be available via the Trip Planner and Station-to-Station features on njtransit.com.

Buses will operate on a modified weekday or holiday schedule with “early getaway” service from Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Jersey City waterfront. There will also be early evening service inbound and extra outbound from PABT after midnight on select routes. Customers are advised to consult timetables or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for more details.

Hudson-Bergen and Newark Light Rail, and the River Line will operate on a regular weekday schedule. River LINE will run extended service every 30 minutes. The last River LINE train out of Camden due to the Philadelphia fireworks will be approximately 12:45am, the train will run as far north as necessary. Specific trip information will be available on njtransit.com.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  NJ TRANSIT is prohibiting all beverages on all of its trains, light rail vehicles and buses on Monday, December 31, 2018, and the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 1, 2018. This policy will be strictly enforced.

After midnight (early January 1), additional late-night trains will operate on all lines until approximately 5 a.m. Some trains that normally depart New York/Hoboken/Newark between 11:30 p.m and 1:30 a.m. are cancelled and will be replaced with later trains.  After 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule after. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details, including special printable schedules that cover the period from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. on New Year’s morning (which will be available by December 21). Expanded bus service will be provided from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) until approximately 2 a.m. Some routes will be departing from alternate areas within the PABT. Visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for specific schedule details and departure gate assignments.

On New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, after 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule.  Bus service will vary by route. River LINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  Bus service will vary by route. Customers are advised to visit njtransit.com for details.

As always , check Schedules in Advance:  Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
Travel Early:  On December 24, 26-28, and 31 NJ TRANSIT rail lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule.  Avoid the crowds by traveling during the traditional peak-period (6-9 a.m.) when ridership is light.  
Allow Extra Travel Time:  Traffic congestion during the holidays may affect bus travel times to and from New York City, so customers should plan accordingly.
Ticketing:  Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return and use the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, which is available for free download on any web-enabled iOS or Android device, to make the purchase even easier. To make a purchase, customers simply install the app and then create an account, which will securely save a customer’s profile information and purchase history for ease of use. Customers can also use ticket vending machines or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges.  Reminder: Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal must purchase tickets before boarding.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Luggage:  Travel as light as possible.  Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces.  On multilevel trains, customers with large bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car.

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BEVERAGES NOT PERMITTED ON ANY NJ TRANSIT TRAIN, BUS OR LIGHT RAIL DURING HOBOKEN SANTACON

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photo courtesy of RH

the staff of the Ridgewood blog 

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is prohibiting all beverages on its trains, light rail vehicles and buses on Saturday December 15th and the early morning hours of Sunday December 16th to coincide with the annual Hoboken SantaCon event.

No beverages of any kind, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on board trains, buses or light rail vehicles during this time. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Reminder: All beverages, including alcohol, are not permitted on NJ TRANSIT buses at any time regardless of event.

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Latest Problem for New Jersey Transit: Collecting Fares

NJT ticket machine

By EMMA G. FITZSIMMONSMAY 7, 2017

New Jersey Transit, one of the nation’s busiest commuter railroads, has been flogged by riders who have suffered through a brutal stretch of travel upheavals. The railroad’s safety record is under scrutiny after a fatal derailment last year.

Now, questions are being raised about how it handles a basic task: ensuring riders pay their fares.

More than 240,000 fares were not collected on New Jersey Transit last year because trains were crowded and understaffed, according to a letter sent in March to the railroad’s executive director from the union representing conductors. The letter, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, said uncollected fares could represent more than $5.5 million in lost revenue.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/07/nyregion/latest-problem-for-new-jersey-transit-collecting-fares.html?_r=0

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Reader says overpriced Commuter parking is a Ridgewood quality of life Issue

parking CBD

The village should not make commuter parking a profit center. People already live in town and pay taxes. Shouldn’t they get something in return?

And once they purchase an overpriced pass don’t play musical chairs with them. A pass should relate to an actual parking spot. Telling someone to leave home earlier just means that a different person will miss out on parking.

I don’t commute by train but it seems like the town is making an unpleasant commute even worse.

There has been a real focus on fees and petty ticketing in town. Are we that desperate for revenue that we go after the taxpayers? This is becoming a petty police state. Where is the quality of life?

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Creepy Mike Bloomberg and the Food Police: First Soda, Now Milk: NYC Wants To Extend Ban to Popcorn, Milk Drinks

Bloomberg theridgewoodblog.net

Creepy Mike Bloomberg and the Food Police: 

First Soda, Now Milk: NYC Wants To Extend Ban to Popcorn, Milk Drinks…can the dolts in Trenton be far behind?

We warned you when they went after smoking , power mad politicians will always look to run your life

Wednesday, 13 Jun 2012 11:35 AM
By Andra Varin

First it was large, sugary soft drinks. Now, the New York City diet police want to take away moviegoers’ jumbo tubs of popcorn as well.

The city’s Board of Health plans to hold a public hearing on July 24 on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to ban sales of 16-ounce soft drinks in restaurants, movie theaters, and sports arenas. Bloomberg says getting rid of the supersized, high-calorie beverages will help stem the obesity epidemic.

At a meeting Tuesday night, Board of Health members — who are all appointed by the mayor — expressed support for Bloomberg’s plan, and suggested broadening it to include other fattening snacks.

One member, Dr. Bruce Vladeck, said it would be a good idea to limit the sizes of buttery popcorn sold in movie theaters.

“Popcorn isn’t a whole lot better from the nutritional point of view than soda is, and may have even more calories,” Vladeck said.

Milk-based drinks are also coming under scrutiny.

“There are certainly milkshakes and milk-coffee beverages that have monstrous amounts of calories,” said board member Dr. Joel Forman. “I’m not so sure what the rationale is not to include those.”

https://www.newsmax.com/Headline/New-York-ban-milk/2012/06/13/id/442200?s=al&promo_code=F2D0-1

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State Senator Kevin O’Toole : Help Fight NYC’s Proposed Commuter Tax

ridgewood train station theridgewoodblog.net 2

April 26, 2012
Help Fight NYC’s Proposed Commuter Tax

Dear Friend,

Recently there have been news reports that the Manhattan Boro President, Scott Stringer, has made statements that he wants to re-institute a “Commuter Tax” on anyone who works in New York City, but does not reside in New York City.

When I learned of this, I and my Republican colleagues on the Senate Budget Committee sent a letter to Mayor Bloomberg expressing our outrage that this idea was even being discussed. The unfair impact this tax would have on New Jersey residents is something that I felt could not go unaddressed.

Since then, Boro President Stringer and I have exchanged letters where he has attempted to justify this tax, syaing that it was perfectly reasonable to impose an additional tax on 301,702 New Jerseyans who work in New York City.

The income tax on commuters that Mr. Stringer is proposing would be 0.45% annually on anyone who works in Manhattan but resides elsewhere. This commuter tax on non-New York City residents would generate $725 million annually.

Mr. Stringer claims that the intention of this additional tax would be to dedicate that revenue to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Mr. Stringer believes that the MTA needs an additional “consistent stream of revenue.” As I pointed out to Mr. Stringer, it is not the responsibility of the 129,262 residents of Essex, Bergen, Passaic and Morris Counties who work in New York City to additionally fund the MTA to make up for decades of mismanagement at the New York based Authority.

I can assure you, as I did Mr. Stringer, that if talk of this commuter tax continues, I will be the loudest opponent of it. As I continue to fight to lower the tax burden on New Jersey residents, I will not idly stand by and allow the government of New York to take more money out of our pockets to solve their financial issues.

I encourage all of you to reach out to Boro President Scott Stringer via email at bp@manhattanbp.org or via telephone at 212-669-8300 and express your concerns over this ill conceived plan of his.

As this continues to develop, I will send periodic updates.

Sincerely,
Kevin O’Toole
Senator

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Will NYC revive the out-of-state commuter tax?

ridgewood train station theridgewoodblog.net 1

Will NYC revive the out-of-state commuter tax?

More than 300,000 New Jersey residents would have to pay a revived commuter tax to New York City, if a proposal by the Manhattan Borough president is enacted.

Right now, though, there seems to be little chance of that happening.

Still, if Borough President Scott Stringer is successful in getting the New York state legislature to reinstate the 0.45 percent tax on workers who do not live in New York City, it would affect people living in every New Jersey county, including the state’s southernmost — Cape May.  (O’Dea, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0424/2119/

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>Mayor Bloomberg: No NYC parade for Iraq War vets

>Mayor Bloomberg: No NYC parade for Iraq War vets

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says there will be no city parade for Iraq War veterans in the foreseeable future because of objections voiced by military officials.

The mayor said on his Friday appearance on WOR Radio officials in Washington “think a parade would be premature while we still have so many troops in harm’s way around the world.”

Bloomberg says Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin Dempsey and other Army officials “made it clear” to the city “they do not think a parade is appropriate now.”

https://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_IRAQ_WAR_NO_PARADE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-01-27-18-22-03

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>BREAKING: Terror bomb plotter arrested in NYC

>BREAKING: Terror bomb plotter arrested in NYC
By POST STAFF

The NYPD and Manhattan DA’s office have arrested a terror suspect who was planning to bomb city police facilities and US military sites, where he plotted to target returning war personnel and the families who gathered to welcome them home, The Post has learned.

The suspect, who lives in Manhattan, was arrested after he actually purchased bomb-making materials, sources said. He’d been on the authorities’ radar for about a year, the sources said.

It wasn’t immediately clear exactly where he planned to attack.Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly will host a press conference tonight about the alleged bomb plot.

Read more: https://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/terror_bomb_plotter_arrested_in_Kw0FY4y4kmFMGcveoLSJtK#ixzz1eIXPsFw6

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>SEIU launches campaign to unionize thousands of workers at Newark, 2 NYC airports

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SEIU launches campaign to unionize thousands of workers at Newark, 2 NYC airports

One way airlines have cut costs in the post-9/11 era has been to lay off baggage handlers, cabin cleaners, SkyCaps and other service employees, then contract for those services with companies that pay lower wages and offer fewer benefits.

In an effort to boost compensation for ground support workers, while at the same time expand their own membership, Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union is launching a campaign to unionize thousands of workers at Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports.  (Strunsky, The Star-Ledger)

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/seiu_launches_campaign_to_unio.html
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>An idea whose time has come: NYC Geese to Feed Needy in Pennsylvania

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Let them Eat Geese 

In an effort to feed the hungry New York City plans to send geese captured around its airports to a Pennsylvania slaughterhouse and then distribute them to food banks there.    

The Department of Environmental Protection mad the decision following criticism that the gassed geese were dumped into landfills while the less fortunate go hungry.  

A department spokesman told the The New York Times that it wanted its efforts to enhance public safety but also help the needy.    

The Goose eradication was authorized after U.S. Airways Flight 1549 made a miraculous landing in the Hudson River in 2009 after a flock of geese got caught up in it’s engines causing an emergency landing.    

If thinks work out the agency said that next year the geese will feed needy New Yorkers, but rumors swirl that many of New York’s finest gourmets are lining up to offer the fresh roadkill as a delicacy .

https://www.manhattanstyle.com/news/let-them-eat-geese/

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>Ridgewood Police :Being proactive might just save your job. Remember, we all read the police blotter. This isn’t Paterson or NYC.

>12;03 your scare tactic comment won’t cut it. We have an ample staff on the PD. Actually overstaffed. If I was a PBA member, I would be trying to do the best to show my employer *THE TAXPAYER* the value they received for the taxes they paid.

The pay scale is very generous, as are the benefits. The work rules permit you to have more free time than the residents. 3 days one week? 4 days the next? Do tell us how those 12 hour shifts add up. It was conceived by the PBA PURELY to benefit the officers, and they convinced the ‘the Chief’ at that time that it would work. How you could fight off an old lady after working 9-10-12 hours is beyond me(especially observing the gut hanging over the beltline of most) To expect automatic raises, to expect no layoffs, to expect no furloughs is fantasy land. Be thankful you have a job…. so “IF” you want to convince your employer of your worth, perhaps now is a time to show how to better make use of the current level of staffing. Work 5 days a week like the rest of us. Have varying shifts so that there is adequate coverage at peak times. Get the brass off their ass and out on the street. (I actually noticed a superior in a white shirt walking Ridgewood ave on Saturday.-take a hint from him) We do not need multiple levels of Seargents, Leuitenants to supervise every single detective, juvenile, crime prevention etc.

Too much BS. For all the BS I read about cops having to make split second life or death decisions, one would expect that for what you are paid you can think and do some actual police work other than answering a 911 call and typing it into the computer and dumping onto the detective bureau. Nobody expects BS ticket blitzes but to whine about ‘not enough cops’ to those of us who have watched you ‘protect’ the coffee shops and van neste square won’t be very convincing. Being proactive might just save your job. Remember, we all read the police blotter. This isn’t Paterson or NYC.

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>Community Organisation : ACORN Encourages Prostitution in NYC

>‘Pimp’ & ‘hooker’ catch ACORN staff

By JEREMY OLSHAN

Last Updated: 6:58 AM, September 14, 2009

Posted: 3:30 AM, September 14, 2009

The scandal surrounding the left-wing activist organization ACORN has spread to New York, with employees at its Brooklyn office caught on video helping supposed ladies of the night get loans for their dream houses of ill repute.

Rather than reminding the women that prostitution is dangerous and illegal and advising them to change their careers, counselors at the social-services group shockingly offer suggestions on how they can launder their earnings.

“Honesty is not going to get you the house,” a loan counselor at the offices told two activists posing as a mortgage-seeking pimp and prostitute.

“You can’t say what you do for a living.”

https://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/pimp_hooker_catch_staff_Js4YPEcsCcxLZhAEehLhmL