Category: commuters

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NJ TRANSIT SERVICE PLAN FOR MORNING COMMUTE

Ridgewood Train Station

photo by ArtChick

September 30,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT has announced service plans for the morning of September 30th, 2016 following a commuter train accident at Hoboken Terminal.  All rail service into and out of Hoboken Terminal remains suspended.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will resume full service into and out of Hoboken station tomorrow morning.

 Rail

The following service will be in effect:

  • All New York City bound trains (Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, MidTOWN DIRECT), Raritan Valley and Atlantic City lines will operate on normal weekday schedules.
  • Main, Bergen, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines will continue to operate on a modified weekend schedule originating/terminating in Secaucus.
  • There will be limited rail shuttle service on the Montclair-Boonton Line west of Montclair State University (MSU) – between MSU and Denville stations.
  • There will be rail shuttle service on the Morris & Essex Lines (M&E) between Hackettstown and Dover.
  • The Gladstone Branch will have its two regularly scheduled MidTOWN DIRECT trains in addition to rail shuttles between Gladstone and Summit.

Customers may experience overcrowding and possible delays caused by congestion.

 Metro-North Service for Pascack Valley Line and Port Jervis Line Customers

For schedule information go to: https://web.mta.info/mnr/html/NJTRANSIT_accident.htm

 

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BREAKING FURTHER UPDATE : MAJOR TRAIN ACCIDENT CLOSES HOBOKEN TRAIN STATION

Hoboken Train Station Crash

September 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A New Jersey Transit train crashed into the terminal in Hoboken. The incident happened at around 9am on Thursday. It’s been confirmed  Pascack Valley Train #1614, departs Spring Valley 7:23 am(?) due to arrive at 8:30 am. Train came in on Track 4 .

Initial report is over 100 injuries .

Massive Emergency services response.

Hoboken is shut down to non emergency services.

Correction 1 confirmed dead by Governors Christie and Como  , not passenger someone standing on the platform .

PATH service to HOB will be operating full rush hour service .

Shuttle buses from HOB to SEC running.

Cause of accident is still unclear .

It is being reported that major damage has been done to the train  station including a partial roof collapse. Reports from riders say no indication that anything was wrong.

Rail service is suspended in and out of Hoboken due to a train accident at Hoboken station. NJT bus and private carriers are honoring NJT rail tickets and passes. PATH & HBLR is suspended in/out Hoboken. NY Waterway accepting rail tickets/passes. 
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Are tolls too high? Moody’s 3 concerns for NJ Turnpike Authority

toll-booth

Despite increased revenue and a better bond rating, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority has key financial risk, one ratings agency says.

According a Sept. 14 report by Moody’s Investors Service, political interference and toll-wary drivers could put the Authority — which oversees the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike — in a financially precarious situation in the coming years.

The report comes after a year of growth for the Authority, which saw nearly $1.5 billion in revenue between July 2014 and June 2015. During that same period, Moody’s increased its bond rating to “A2,” its highest since the early 2000s.

https://www.app.com/story/news/traffic/commuting/2016/09/22/new-jersey-turnpike-authority-garden-state-parkway-tolls-moodys/90827884/?utm_content=New+Campaign&utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New+Jersey+Politics

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Signaling a truce, Port Authority and West Side officials announce ‘comprehensive planning process’

Portauthority_theridgewoodblog

By DANA RUBINSTEIN

09/20/16 10:28 AM EDT

The Port Authority and the West Side elected officials who have been engaged in a protracted battle over plans for a new bus terminal in Midtown Manhattan appear to have signed some sort of peace treaty.

On Tuesday morning, they issued a joint statement endorsing “a new expanded, comprehensive planning process,” one that allows for the consideration of “ potential temporary and additional bus facility sites” and takes into account “how a new bus facility should be integrated with current and future regional transportation assets.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2016/09/port-and-west-side-officials-announced-new-expanded-comprehensive-planning-process-105620#ixzz4KtFxs7J7

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NJT Police Look for Trespassers Seen Near the Tracks on the Moontclair-Boonton line

Ridgewood Train Stataion
September 19,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Ridge NJ, According to NBC News ,New Jersey Transit police are asking for the public’s help identifying three men caught on camera trespassing near the tracks on the Moontclair-Boonton line. One of them dressed in camouflage and carrying what appeared to be a rifle, and another carrying a professional camera.

In the NBC report an NJT engineer operating a train on the Moontclair-Boonton line noticed the men near Glen Ridge Interlocking, between Bay Street and Glen Ridge stations, just after 3 p.m. on Aug. 8, according to New Jersey Transit police.

Transit Police have released photos of the men and a black SUV believed to belong to one of them, seen traveling from Glen Ridge toward Bloomfield along Bloomfield Avenue.

Authorities say the men may have been filming a video and simply unaware they were trespassing. They don’t plan on pursuing criminal charges if the subjects go to police and confirm they were working on some sort of video or movie project. New Jersey Transit police can be reached at 973-491-8862.

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New Jersey Transit Police charge man with Sexual contact of a women while on board a train

Ridgewood Train Stataion
September 14,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK NJ ,New Jersey Transit Police have charged a man with criminal sexual contact after identifying him from a victim’s description given to police a few days earlier.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday, September 9, 50-year-old Raghavan E. Narayanan of Hillsborough was arrested at Newark Penn Station and charged with criminal sexual contact. Officers recognized him from a description given by a female customer, who reported a man inappropriately touched her while on board a NJ TRANSIT train two days earlier.

“We are grateful that the New Jersey Transit Police were able to act so quickly in apprehending this person,’’ said Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin. “The safety of our customers is paramount to us and we do not take that lightly.’’

“The officers of the New Jersey Transit Police Department are the eyes and ears of the state’s transportation system,’’ said Police Chief Christopher Trucillo. “Incidents like this reinforce how our police department is vigilant when it comes to protecting our customers both in plain sight and behind the scenes.’’

Narayanan was issued a summons and released pending a court date for later this month.

The charges and allegations contained in this release are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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NJ TRANSIT ISSUES SAFETY ADVISORY ON SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE7

get_smart_shoe_phone

Strongly Urges Customers Not to Use or Charge the Device Onboard Vehicles or in Facilities

September 13, 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Following safety concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note7, NJ TRANSIT is strongly urging all customers not to use or charge the mobile device on board trains, buses, light rail vehicles or in stations and facilities.

“We are asking our customers who have the Galaxy Note7, to simply turn it off before entering an NJ TRANSIT facility or boarding a vehicle.” said interim Executive Director Dennis Martin.  “Because of the uncertainties surrounding this device, we are issuing this precautionary advisory to ensure the safety of all of our customers.”

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 has been the subject of numerous accounts of the batteries bursting into flames.  Both Samsung and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission are urging owners to power down these devices and stop charging or using them.

“NJ TRANSIT is urging our customers to do the responsible thing and heed the manufacturer’s advice to power down the Galaxy Note7” said Gardner Tabon, Chief of NJ TRANSIT’s Office of System Safety.  “This is especially critical when riding a transit system along with hundreds of thousands of others.”

NJ TRANSIT has not had any reported cases of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 becoming a fire hazard.  In February 2016, NJ TRANSIT restricted customers and employees from using, charging, storing or transporting hoverboards following similar fire safety concerns.

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The New Jersey Transit Police Department Arrest Man in Assault of Train Conductor

Ridgewood Train Station
September 14,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Transit Police Department arrested a man who assaulted a train conductor Sunday on the Bergen line after being asked for a train ticket.

22-year-old Peer Fikhman, who is an Israeli citizen, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a conductor and theft of services for non-payment of fare.

At approximately 2:40 p.m. Sunday, September 11, Fikhman boarded a train at the Radburn Station. He hid in a restroom to avoid a conductor collecting tickets from customers.  Fikhman exited the restroom after 25 minutes and punched the conductor in the face when asked for his ticket.

New Jersey Transit Police were called and met the train at Secaucus Junction, where Fikhman was arrested and charged.  The conductor had a visible mark on his face but refused medical attention.

Fikhman was taken to the Hudson County Jail, where bail was set at $5,000 with a
10 percent option. He was still being held at the jail as of late this afternoon.

Aggravated assault on a train conductor, who is clearly identifiable and engaged in the course of his duties, carries up to five years in prison and fines up to $7,500.  Theft of service carries a jail term of up to one year.

The charges and allegations contained in this release are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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NJ TRANSIT OFFERS ‘EARLY GETAWAY’ SERVICE FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Ridgewood Train Station

photo by ArtChick

Kids ride free all weekend with Family SuperSaver Fare

August 31, 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, there will offer “early getaway” rail and bus service on Friday, September 2, for the benefit of customers leaving work early for the Labor Day holiday weekend.

To help speed the getaway, customers are reminded that they can enjoy the convenience of purchasing tickets through the MyTix feature on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app.On Friday, September 2, extra outbound trains will operate on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex and Port Jervis lines starting at approximately 1 p.m.  Extra buses will operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Hudson River Waterfront on more than two dozen bus routes starting around noon.  Visit njtransit.com for details.  All light rail systems will operate on regular weekday schedules.

REMINDER: Effective September 3, 2016 12 bus routes servicing the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York will have departure gate assignments changed.  Selected routes will be changed as of Saturday, September 3rd with other routes being changed mainly during the weekday PM peak and evening hours as of Tuesday, September 6th.  Check njtransit.com for details.

On Labor Day, Monday, September 5, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.  River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.

Customers are reminded to check njtransit.com for their individual bus timetables for the weekend as departure times will vary by route.

For complete schedules and fares, visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

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Delays Plague Ridgewood NJ Transit Train Riders

Ridgewood-Trainstation1_theridgewoodblog
August 24,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, if have noticed your having trouble getting to work on time ,its true you are the NJT rail on-time performance data, found in NJ Transits annual report, calculates the percentage of trains that arrive on-time to their destination.

The current data shows that while the Main/Bergen County Line on time performance has actually improved from 2011 to 2015 , you connection to New York Penn Station at Secaucus Junction has suffered significant deterioration.

The Northeast Corridor commuter trains (NEC) are the now the most frequently late, and more of them are arriving later.The NEC has had the lowest percentage of on-time trains every year for the past five years. It’s been getting worse, falling to a low of 89.9 percent on-time in 2015 after reaching a five year high in 2013 of 94.4 percent.

NJT considers a train late if it arrives to its final destination six minutes after its scheduled time.The performance measures are in fiscal years, which for NJ Transit starts July 1 and goes through June 30.

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Video warns of transit apocalypse if new tunnels aren’t fast-tracked

Ridgewood-Trainstation1_theridgewoodblog

By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on August 16, 2016 at 2:49 PM, updated August 16, 2016 at 3:49 PM

A former writer for “The Daily Show” has produced a video explaining how red tape could delay the Gateway Tunnel project, potentially increasing gridlock and costing billions in tax dollars.

The video by Alex Marino explains the complex tunnel issues in “Transportation Armageddon.” It was produced for Common Good, which advocates cutting red tape and bureaucratic reform.

It warns how road gridlock would expand in New York and New Jersey if one of the existing 106-year old tunnels has to be taken out of service for rehabilitation and rail commuters instead have to use their cars.

https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/08/video_warns_of_transit_apocalypse_if_new_tunnels_arent_fast-tracked.html

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Port Authority Police Catch $30,000 Ticket Scofflaw

Lincoln Tunnel

August 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Jersey City NJ, Port Authority Police Officer Chris Johnson pulled over a car at the Holland Tunnel Tuesday morning and discovered more than $30,000 in unpaid tolls and fees at all three Hudson River crossings, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, according to Port Authority Police spokesman Joseph Pentangelo.

The woman, identified as Shakeema N. North, 38, of Orange NJ, had 5 different EZ pass accounts and $30,000 in unpaid tolls and resulting fees from more than 400 separate incidents of toll evasion,

North was arrested on a charge of theft of services and given a summons requiring her to appear in court next Tuesday.

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NJT Mobile App One-Way Ticketing Expands to More Interstate Bus Lines

Ridgewood-bus_terminal_theridgewoodblog
August 3,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood  NJ , Following the success earlier this year of offering mobile ticketing on select interstate bus lines, NJ TRANSIT has now expanded mobile ticketing to include one-way fares on bus routes between New Jersey and New York or Philadelphia.

“NJ TRANSIT continues to upgrade our technology to constantly improve the ticket purchasing experience for our customers and to make the process more convenient,’’ said NJ TRANSIT’s interim Executive Director Dennis Martin.  “We are an industry leader in mobile ticketing and by listening to what our customers want, we are able to offer them the high-tech options which are demanded in the digital world in which we now live.’’

Earlier this year, NJ TRANSIT launched one-way interstate mobile ticketing for Bus Route Nos. 126, 156, 158 and 159.  This latest update to the Mobile App now allows NJ TRANSIT bus customers on additional bus routes to use the MyTix feature to purchase and display one-way tickets for bus travel between New York and New Jersey and between Philadelphia and New Jersey.  The convenience allows customers to avoid lines at Ticket Vending Machines and ticket windows and speed up their travels.

In addition to one-way interstate bus ticketing, the Mobile App update streamlines the purchasing of rail tickets.  Users now have the option to purchase rail tickets right from the train schedule screen by using a new “Buy” button.  By linking the train schedules to purchase options, customers can seamlessly find the correct train and buy their tickets with fewer clicks.

Exploring new ways to enhance mobile ticketing options for customers is a high priority for NJ TRANSIT. The popularity of the NJ TRANSIT mobile ticketing app has grown steadily since its introduction in 2013, now with close to one million NJ TRANSIT customers creating mobile accounts.

The NJ TRANSIT mobile app is available for free download on any web-enabled iOS or Android device. To purchase tickets, customers simply install the app and then create an account, which will securely save a customer’s profile information and purchase history.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 938,500 weekday trips on 257 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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Mosquitoes cluster in subways for horny feasts, raising concern

mosquito-blood

By Melkorka Licea and Abigail Gepner

July 31, 2016 | 1:37am

City subway stations are a mosquito’s paradise

The subways are swarming with skeeters.

The warm, wet summer and mild winter created a bumper crop of mosquitoes — and they’re breeding in the stagnant puddles of the steaming underground and sucking straphanger blood.

“I just wanna get home, I don’t wanna die on my way,” said Shayna Andino, 18, who claims she’s been bitten “at least 20 times” inside the 47th-50th Street Rockefeller Center station. “With Zika going around, it worries me,” she added.

Modal TriggerPhoto: Helayne Seidman

Andino, who takes the B and D trains to work as a cashier at Duane Reade in the station’s concourse, pointed to three bites on her face and arms.

https://nypost.com/2016/07/31/this-summer-is-making-the-subway-a-mosquito-hotbed/

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Homeless Encampments Worry Commuters At Penn Station

NY_penn_station_theridgewoodblog

July 25, 2016 6:07 PM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — As the New York City homeless problempersists, passengers have been encountering crowds of people camped outside Penn Station.

As CBS2’s Jessica Layton reported, Penn Station commuters said the city needs to do something.

Annette Woods is a frequent visitor to the city from Trenton, New Jersey, and she loves New York City – she even wears an “I love NY” T-shirt. But she said she would rather not be hassled for cash by the homeless people who are hunched over and camped out in the doorway.

“Not clean,” Woods said, “and they need food, shelter or, place or a job.”

“It’s sad, but that’s the reality here, and it’s part of the city,” said Kinneret Ladizinsky of Canada.

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s refrain has been that when the city sees an uptick of homeless people in a particular spot, police officers or outreach workers are sent to check things out.

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/07/25/penn-station-homeless-encampments/