The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Newark Penn Station NJ, in a major shake-up for U.S. rail travel, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner has resigned after pressure from the White House, following calls for leadership changes by President Donald Trump, according to sources.
Continue reading Amtrak CEO Steps Down Amid White House Pressure
file photo NJT Police
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Trenton NJ, authorities may have disrupted a potential terrorist plot on Friday when New Jersey Transit Police arrested a man aboard an Amtrak train at the Trenton Transit Center. The suspect was found carrying three handguns and two rifles, marking the culmination of a day filled with strategic investigative work by law enforcement.
Continue reading Police Foil Potential Terrorist Plot on Amtrak Train at Trenton Transit Center
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Ridgewood NJ, Northeast Corridor rail service is suspended in both directions, North Jersey Coast Line is suspended between Long Branch and Penn Station New York and Raritan Valley Line service will originate/terminate at Newark Penn Station due to Amtrak overhead wire issues near Newark Penn Station. Eastbound Midtown Direct service is being diverted to Hoboken.
Continue reading NJ Transit: Northeast Corridor rail service is suspended in both directions
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Jersey City NJ, the Gateway Project is a monumental initiative designed to enhance rail travel between New York and New Jersey. This ambitious $16 billion plan includes constructing a new two-track rail tunnel under the Hudson River and repairing the existing North River tunnel, which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
Continue reading The Gateway Project: Transforming Rail Travel Between New York and New Jersey
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Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey has reached a tentative agreement with its most profitable companies to temporarily increase taxes in order to fund NJ Transit. Under this plan, the 600 corporations in the state that earn at least $10 million annually will pay a 2.5% tax on all earnings for the next five years.
Continue reading Tentative Tax Agreement Reached to Fund NJ Transit
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Newark NJ, Amtrak has entered into a contract with Alstom to manufacture 28 cutting-edge high-speed trains, slated to replace the existing fleet serving Amtrak’s premium Acela service.
Continue reading New Amtrak Acela Fleet to Travel at Speeds of 160 mph
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New York NY, New York City is experiencing its first Christmas season without Airbnb, and the cost of accommodations is on the rise. In September, the city implemented a stringent short-term rental policy that essentially excluded Airbnb, providing benefits to renters but limiting choices for tourists. Expedia Group reports a 25% year-over-year increase in hotel searches this month, with average nightly rates reaching $477, compared to last year’s still-high $416.
Continue reading New York City is experiencing its first Christmas season without Airbnb
photo courtesy of NJ TRANSIT POLICE
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New York NY, commuting nightmare hits NY Penn Station on Thursday evenings rush hour when authorities temporarily suspended NJ Transit rail service to and from Penn Station in Manhattan, New York, New York, May 11 due to a signal issue at the Portal Bridge that spans the Hackensack River in Hudson County, New Jersey. Officials did not immediately provide an estimate as to when service would resume. NJ Transit authorities have said that NJ Transit rail tickets and passes are being cross-honored by NJ Transit buses and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) transit system at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken, and 33rd Street, New York. Amtrak train services have also experienced delays due to “signal issues and rail congestion” in the New York metropolitan area.
In the Northeast, between Boston, New York and Washington there will be no impact to Acela
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Ridgewood NJ, Amtrak will cancel all long-distance trains beginning on Thursday to avoid disruptions in advance of a potential rail worker strike later this week. An Amtrak spokesperson said the changes will ensure trains can reach their destinations before the strike, which could begin as early as Friday, and the adjustments could soon extend to other routes. Amtrak is not involved in the contract negotiations between rail workers and freight companies, but many of its trains run on railroads owned by third parties that would shut down if a strike takes place.
Continue reading UPDATE: Amtrak Canceling all long-distance trains
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New York NY, NY Penn Station has been the bane of commuters for as long as we can remember . Since the original Penn Stations destruction in the 1960s, the station has become something mythic, a sacrificial lamb to the cause of historic preservation. Unfortunately for commuters the current Penn Station leaves much to be desired it is and had been a dump for generations . New York Governor Kathy Hochul with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy are not the first politicians to step in and attempt to fix the current mess but hopefully the time is right and commuters could see some relief .
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TRENTON NJ, an Ocean County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining chainsaws and chainsaw parts from his employer Amtrak and then selling this equipment for personal profit, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
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Newark NJ, an Amtrak employee was arrested last night for stealing chainsaws and chainsaw parts valued at over $50,000 from Amtrak and reselling them, primarily through an online auction service, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
Continue reading Amtrak Employee Charged with Stealing and Selling Company Equipment
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New York NY, Amtrak is getting a new home, moving its Penn Station operations across Eighth Avenue to the historic Farley Post Office Building on Jan. 1st.
Continue reading Amtrak Moves Into the Historic Farley Post Office Building on January 1st
Do you plan to go on a business trip or just enjoy your vacation? In any case, you should be careful. Travelers should prepare for the trip if they want to enjoy the trip. Think of the travel gear you need to take with you depending on where you go and how long you’ll be far away from home. Of course, among must-have items for both men and women are such as the spacious suitcase for your luggage, flight equipment like air pillow and blanket, cute beach travel accessories, and other stuff for comfortable traveling. However, the checklist doesn’t end here.
Continue reading Travelling Security Products: Protect Your Valuables from Thieves