TRENTON, NJ. – Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney (R) has introduced a package of pro-commuter bills protecting New Jersey’s E-ZPass customers who use New York’s bridges and tunnels from being overcharged.
The legislation is in response to a recent AAA study that found drivers who purchased E-ZPass tags from out of state agencies are being charged the cash rate instead of the discount rate at New York bridges and tunnels operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Between 2012 and 2016, of the 92 million out-of-towners who didn’t receive the discount rate, 70 million were New Jersey drivers.
“One of the primary reasons E-ZPass was created was to offer drivers discounted rates,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “We now find that certain drivers are given preferential treatment – the only reason for which is that their E-ZPass was issued by a New York agency. These bills are an effort to level the playing field for our commuters and ensure the integrity of the E-ZPass system.”
Ridgewood NJ, the New Jersey Department of Transportation will again weigh options on the Glenwood Road Rail Road Crossing at the Ho Ho Kus Train Station .
MEMORANDUM OF RECORD
Click Here for Memorandum of Record DOT Docket No. 06-2017CM; Ho-Ho-Kus Train Station Pedestrian Crossing DOT Docket No 1702016 CM
Click Here for Memorandum of Record DOT Docket No. 06-2017CM Warren Ave (Brookside Avenue)
Click Here for Memorandum of Record Ho-Ho-Kus Train Station Pedestrian Crossing
Mark Krulish , Staff Writer, @Mark_Krulish2:57 p.m. ET April 27, 2017
RIDGEWOOD — In an effort to add parking spaces at the train station, the council is weighing a plan to reduce the size of a grass median and create new spots for compact cars.
The design, presented by Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser to the council Wednesday, calls for narrowing the island on the western side of the train tracks by 4.5 feet to accomodate parking for compact cars on both sides of the median. The new layout would add 41 spots.
By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 28, 2017 at 9:59 AM, updated April 28, 2017 at 4:33 PM
Frustrated NJ Transit commuters have been circulating fliers on trains and waging a nascent social media campaign dubbed “NoPayMay” to encourage rail riders to attempt to use April monthly passes next month as a form of protest.
A flier left on a New Jersey Transit train on Friday morning, imploring customers not to pay for their May monthly pass.Larry Higgs/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The #NoPayMay movement comes after weeks of delayed trains, two derailments and other mishaps that have left commuters at their breaking point.
Though hundreds of tweets on Twitter implore riders not to purchase a new monthly rail passes for May, one commuter noted that a conductor said that anyone who tries to use an old ticket will face arrest.
Northern Branch expansion will bring light rail into Bergen County
April 24, 2017
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
ENGLEWOOD, NJ — NJ TRANSIT today continued to advance the expansion of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system into Bergen County by holding two public hearings as part of the environmental review process.
The hearings, held at the Englewood Crowne Plaza, are part of a 60-day public comment period on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS). The Northern Branch SDEIS documents the social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with the construction of the proposed action.
This comment period began on March 24, 2017, when the SDEIS was published, and runs through May 23, 2017. During this time, members of the public are invited to review the SDEIS document and submit their comments in writing or by attending one of the public hearings. Today’s public hearings included a formal presentation, an open house with information and displays as well as the ability for members of the public to submit oral or written comments.
At the conclusion of the public comment period, NJ TRANSIT will collect and review all of the comments. Provided that the SDEIS comments do not present compelling arguments for substantial revision, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) will be prepared for review by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The culmination of the process is that the FTA will issue a Record of Decision (ROD) approving the project to advance to engineering. Once the ROD is issued and funding is identified, the project could then advance to final engineering, as well as the negotiation of an agreement with the freight railroads (CSX and NYS&W), and into construction.
About Northern Branch project
The Northern Branch project will extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system by 10 miles and include seven new station stops in five municipalities. The electric light rail service would operate on West Side Avenue in North Bergen, and then on existing railroad right-of-way owned by CSX Transportation (CSX) between 91st Street in North Bergen and the northern border of Englewood and would introduce new station stops in North Bergen, Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia, and Englewood.
The extension is projected to add 12,370 customers to the system making 24,740 trips on an average weekday. The existing Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system transports approximately 26-thousand customers making 52-thousand trips on an average weekday (FY16).
Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported on this blog , Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser was asked to ascertain the feasibility of adding approximately 40 additional parking spaces at the Ridgewood train station. Mayor Susan Knudsen suggested that additional parking spaces might be added by removing some of the large, grass & tree covered center island in the current parking lot.
While the Village Engineer has attempted to upgrade the project to include moving the bus station, the simple solution and cost effective solution would just be to stick with adding the new spaces to the train station .It would ad the most spaces quickly and effectively.
It amounts to a small sacrifice of removing a few feet of grass with a net gain of anywhere from 28-40 spaces .
No it will not solve the whole problem but it will help out commuters , and generate more revenue for the Village with passes .
It will also shift commuters from taking up valuable spaces in front of merchants free ups spaces for shoppers.
Ridgewood NJ, Chris’ idea to move the bus station to the train station is lunacy.
300 NJT buses every weekday at the tiny and already overcrowded Garber Square intersection.
Up to 20 NJT buses an hour in rush hours.
900 new pedestrians in the morning rush and 900 new pedestrians in the afternoon rush.
Buses acting as 40 foot long walls obstructing line of sight for drivers and hundreds of pedestrians alike.
Each bus = 3 car lengths so traffic that already backs up Franklin and down to Monroe will back up more. Fewer cars will get through each light cycle.
Mark Krulish , Staff Writer, @Mark_Krulish6:45 p.m. ET March 30, 2017
RIDGEWOOD — After months of discussion and comments from the public regarding two ordinances that restricted parking on certain residential streets, the Village Council will have ordinances prepared at next month’s public meeting to ease some of those limitations.
One ordinance, adopted in June, banned parking on Pomander Walk from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. . Another disallowed parking from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., from Sept. 1 through June 30, on Bogert Avenue and Cambridge Road 500 feet from their intersections with East Glen Avenue. Those were passed in December and took effect in January. In both cases, safety concerns for pedestrians and residents in the area were the main driver of the changes.
Ridgewood NJ, During Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session, Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser was asked to ascertain the feasibility of adding approximately 40 additional parking spaces at the Ridgewood train station. Mayor Susan Knudsen suggested that additional parking spaces might be added by removing the large, grass & tree covered center island in the current parking lot.
Rutishauser was also tasked with determining the possibility of creating more parking spaces along the east side of Wilsey Square, just south of the train station’s parking lot. Grass & trees currently occupy this area as well.
No date was given as to when the results of the Village Engineer’s study would be available for Village Council review.
SADDLE BROOK — New York is known as the city that never sleeps, but across the crowded state of New Jersey, something’s always going on. That may be why a recent poll of 1,000 workers, both here and around the country, found many of them are practically dozing off on the job.
The Accountemps survey released earlier this month revealed 74 percent of all professionals admitted being tired at work, 43 percent of them “somewhat often” and 31 percent “very often.” Millennials led the pack, with 86 percent of respondents saying they felt tired, compared with just half of workers age 55 and over.
A gender split was almost even: 77 percent of men reported work sleepiness, as did 71 percent of women in the survey.
To “get to the root of the drowsiness,” said Ryan Gatto, Saddle Brook-based regional vice president of Robert Half, the staffing firm agency that runs Accountemps, managers should keep an open dialogue with their employees.
“Encouraging your staff to take their scheduled breaks, I think, is important,” Gatto said. “Workers also tend to follow their managers’ lead, so if a manager’s taking the time to rest and recharge, then more often than not the employee will follow suit.”
One avenue that’s been explored to help sleepy employees is the concept of a “nap room,” but 31 percent of those surveyed were wary of that, for a few reasons. They said it might make them even sleepier, it would reduce the amount of work they were able to complete, and they might be perceived around the office as slackers.
“It’s an interesting idea that some companies have instituted, but at the same time, many of the individuals that responded just don’t believe that that would be a good use of their time,” Gatto said.
SADDLE BROOK, New Jersey (WABC) -An elderly woman was crossing in front of an approaching New Jersey Transit train when a driver leapt from his car and rushed to save her, with seconds to spare.
Hunched over with two canes propping her up, walking from point A to point B is no easy task for the elderly Saddle Brook woman.
So when she suddenly became trapped in the middle of the train tracks Wednesday afternoon with precious moments to spare, one Good Samaritan didn’t hesitate to pull her out of harm’s way.
Keep it two way. The posts asking for better signage are legit. And while the HS student story is sad, making it one way won’t change the danger of crossing the tracks. This is one more case of the Village Engineer’s idiocy! The average vehicle is 6′ wide. North Monroe (25mph) is approximately 29′ from curb to curb, between Fairmont and Patricia Ct – but No Parking on either side (even though there’s 17′ of clearance). Most cars coming up Glenwood from HoHoKus turn onto Hillcrest.. Whether you turn left or right on Hillcrest, between Hamilton and Fairmont the road average 21′ – 23; But there’s Parking on both sides of the street!!!. So if there’s a truck (which is wider than 6′) is parked on both sides of the street (like landscapers do in the summer) you have less than a foot of clearance – God forbid that a fire truck has to get through! So the same “brain trust” that puts this into place now wants to screw around with Glenwood.
Cross Honoring in Effect starting at 4:00 a.m. Thursday
February 8, 2017
Ridgewood, NJ — NJ TRANSIT is prepared to manage the incoming winter storm forecasted to hit New Jersey over the next several hours. NJ TRANSIT’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is open and is monitoring the track of the winter weather and its potential effects on the Tri-State area. Personnel and assets have also been pre-positioned in order to address any issues that may arise during the morning rush hour as quickly as possible.
NJ TRANSIT is expected to operate regular service on its bus, rail, light rail and Access Link services. However, as the storm unfolds, and as conditions warrant, NJ TRANSIT will immediately advise customers of any service disruptions, delays or changes. Customers are strongly advised to sign up for My Transit Alerts, which provide customized notifications via email or text message based on a customer’s preferred mode of travel. My Transit alerts can be accessed by creating a free account on njtransit.com. In addition, customers are advised to monitor NJ TRANSIT’s website and social media feeds on Twitter and Facebook, as well as tune in to broadcast traffic reports for the latest information.
Cross honoring will be in effect beginning at 4 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, February 9 on bus, rail and light rail services.
Current service impacts include:
• Regular weekday service for rail, bus, light rail and Access Link will operate as long as conditions allow.
• All 196 and 197 lines bus service will originate and terminate at West Milford Park and Ride. Rail will Cross Honor on the Port Jervis Line at the Harriman, Tuxedo, and Sloatsburg Stations. Shortline bus will also be Cross Honoring.
• Cross honoring will be in effect across rail, bus and light rail systems.
• Due to the impending storm, Access Link is cancelling all trips between 3am -5 am. Also, for the entire service day ALL transfer trips are cancelled as well.
Snow fighting supplies and equipment across the state are stocked and ready to be deployed as conditions warrant.
NJ TRANSIT’s preparations for the winter season began long before the first snowflakes began to fall. Over the course of the fall and the months leading up to winter, crews have been busy inspecting and winterizing infrastructure, equipment and stations to be in the best possible position to handle winter’s potential wrath.
In early December, Executive Director Steven Santoro outlined the following steps NJ TRANSIT has taken in advance of the winter weather season:
NJ TRANSIT Preparations for Winter Weather
Rail Operations
• Hundreds of rail cars and locomotives have been “winterized,” a process that includes checking onboard heating systems, ventilation, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components, as well as changing locomotive filters and fuel from a summer blend to a winter blend.
• NJ TRANSIT’s preventative maintenance program also includes the inspection and winter maintenance of more than 750 switches and switch heaters, overhead wire systems, 12 moveable bridges and wayside power at storage yards and terminals.
• Two jet-engine-powered snow blowers are available to remove ice and snow from tracks and critical switching areas. In addition, all locomotives are equipped with snowplows to clear snow from the rails.
• NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations has 20,000 pounds of salt on hand with the ability to obtain an additional 100,000 pounds, if needed.
• In addition, our year-round tree trimming program proactively minimizes downed trees or limbs along the right-of-way and on our overhead electrical system, personnel are on standby to quickly respond to reports of trees or limbs that could damage overhead wires or prevent safe passage of trains. Our year-round tree trimming program is part of our preventative maintenance program.
Bus Operations
• Bus maintenance personnel have checked the heating systems, engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers, doors and airbrake systems on NJ TRANSIT’s 2,200 buses.
• Bus snow-fighting equipment has been readied and ice/snow-inhibiting supplies have been restocked for winter to keep 52 bus loops, terminals and lots cleared throughout the state.
• NJ TRANSIT Bus Operations has 900 tons of bulk salt on standby statewide, with each of its 16 garages stocked with bag salt.
• Vendor contracts have been finalized to perform plowing of larger park/ride facilities.
Light Rail Operations
• Snowplows are ready to clear station platforms and park/ride lots.
• All switch heaters have been tested.
Access Link
• Due to the impending storm, Access Link is cancelling all trips between 3AM-5AM ONLY. Also, for the entire service day ALL transfer trips are cancelled as well. We will continue to closely monitor the upcoming storm and make any service changes as needed. We’re asking customers to allow extra travel time and cancel any rides you may not need. You can now cancel your rides right here on the web. Please call the 800# or check the NJ TRANSIT web site for updates.
Stations and Terminals
• All rail stations equipped with heaters have been inspected to ensure that they are in proper working order.
• All public address systems at rail stations and bus terminals have been inspected.
Travel Advice:
• Before starting your trip, visit the Travel Alerts page at njtransit.com for up-to-the-minute service information. This information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
• Customers are encouraged to sign up for the My Transit alert system on njtransit.com, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone.
• Allow extra time getting to and from your destination. Use extreme caution when walking on exposed sidewalks or station platforms and when boarding trains and buses.
• Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or
NJ TRANSIT staff.
• Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
COMMUTER PARKING AVAILABLE IN WYCKOFF – PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
For Immediate Release
For further information
Contact: Joyce Santimauro Municipal Clerk
201-891-7000 ext. 101
2017 Permits Still Available for Commuter Park and Ride at Cornerstone Church
495 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff
Approximately 50 commuter parking permits remain available on a first come, first served basis.
The fee for a non-resident commuter park and ride permit is $300.00. Non-residents may purchase one (1) permit per household.
Bus service to New York City is provided from the Park and Ride by Coach USA /Shortline bus service. A link to the schedule can be found here: (Please note: Coach USA names the stop as “Russell Ave and Wyckoff Ave P/R)
Parking permits can be purchased from the Township Clerk’s office at Town Hall, 340 Franklin Avenue, Wyckoff.
A current driver’s license must be provided by all commuter park and ride permit applicants.
Purchasing a park and ride permit does not guarantee a parking space.
Parking permits are non-transferable.
Replacement fee for a lost or stolen parking permit is $25.00.
The Cornerstone Church commuter park and ride program allows vehicles to park at this facility Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Paul Berger , Staff writer, @pdbergerPublished 6:16 p.m. ET Jan. 25, 2017 | Updated 14 hours ago
New Jersey motorists are being cheated out of hundreds of millions of dollars of toll revenue that could be reinvested in better bridges and tunnels, according to a new report by a conservative think tank that proposes a radical fix for the dysfunctional public agency charged with keeping the region moving.
The report from the Manhattan Institute says the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey should reinvest the enormous profits from its Hudson River crossings and its airports to improve those facilities, instead of subsidizing money-losing operations such as the PATH rail system and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Struggling facilities should be forced to become self-financing through private-sector partnerships, the report adds.
