Tag: NJT

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The 13 worst types of N.J. commuters

Ridgewood-Trainstation1_theridgewoodblog

Updated February 24, 2017
Posted February 24, 2017

By Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

For a huge swath of New Jerseyans, work means commuting, and commuting means public transportation. NJ Transit and the PATH host more than 700,000 daily riders between bus and rail.

And unfortunately, not every New Jersey commuter is a perfectly polite passenger. In fact, some seem put on this earth — or train car — just to devolve our daily routines into maddening frustration and rage.

Here are 12 of the most loathsome types of New Jersey commuters, from the phone talkers to the eaters to the ones who WON’T. STOP. STARING at you. Commuting is enough of a pain without these human nightmares fooling with our sanity.

https://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/02/the_12_worst_kinds_of_new_jersey_commuters.html#incart_river_home

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PORT AUTHORITY PLANNING NEW 42ND BUS TERMINAL

saturday night fever

PORT AUTHORITY BOARD AUTHORIZES PLANNING FOR NEW BUS TERMINAL, INTERIM SOLUTIONS FOR EXISTING TERMINAL
February 17,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Port Authority Board of Commissioners today authorized the agency to begin the first phase of a comprehensive planning process for the replacement of the midtown bus terminal – including the hiring of environmental and technical consultants to ensure compliance with federal, state and local review processes.

The planning process will include evaluation of potential intermediate bus staging and storage facilities and other initiatives to sustain and meet capacity requirements for efficient operations of the interstate bus network, including the existing PABT facility. These initiatives will help ensure the existing Port Authority Bus Terminal is able to continue to meet current bus and passenger demand.

“We continue to acknowledge that, while the new Port Authority Bus Terminal is a critical first step in improving trans-Hudson commuting, it is only one piece of a menu of options that must be in place to meet the needs created by future demand increases,” said Port Authority Chairman John Degnan. “The Port Authority will work with our stakeholders to take their important views into account, as we did at the 2015 Trans-Hudson Summit and in the 2016 Trans-Hudson Commuting Capacity Study.”

“Meeting the needs of the growing number of the region’s bus commuters is an essential component of the Port Authority’s transportation mission, and this project will be done while fully respecting and minimizing the impacts on Manhattan’s West Side after and considering the input of residents there in a formal environmental process,’’ said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye.

The board authorized the agency to hire environmental and technical consultants to provide project management and planning services for the bus terminal replacement, and to evaluate interim solutions for the existing terminal. These consultants would ensure that all planning stages comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or all applicable review processes, and that there is coordination with stakeholders and adherence to eligibility requirements for federal funding.

Planning for a new bus terminal will include identifying an optimal location based on ongoing engagement with the City of New York and other New York and New Jersey stakeholders. Additionally, it will include reviewing the agency’s previous midtown bus master planning effort, the analysis and suggestions of the Port Authority Bus Terminal International Design + Deliverability Competition and the findings of the Trans-Hudson Commuting Capacity Study commissioned by the board.

The Port Authority Bus Terminal, located on Manhattan’s West Side, opened in 1950 and last underwent a major expansion in 1979. Each weekday it accommodates approximately 232,000 passenger trips and 7,800 bus movements. Demand is expected to increase by 51 percent, with up to 337,000 weekday passenger trips, by 2040.

Even at today’s levels of bus demand, the bus terminal routinely operates beyond capacity during peak travel hours. Through an ongoing Quality of Commute initiative, the Port Authority has partnered with bus operators on operational changes that have reduced crowding within the terminal and relieved congestion caused by buses on nearby streets.

However, a lack of strategically located bus parking, and facilities for the staging of empty buses ready to enter the terminal to pick up afternoon commuters, remains a persistent problem. The Trans-Hudson Commuting Capacity Study suggested that the addition of parking and staging facilities is needed to help the bus terminal accommodate growing demand.

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Reader says better to Keep Glenwood two way

Ridgewood's Glenwood Road to become one way street east of Upper Boulevard

file photo by Boyd Loving

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.

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New Jersey Transit to Upgrade Mobile App

Apple_iPhone_3G
February 14,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Capitalizing on its booming success, NJ TRANSIT showed off its updated, redesigned look for the mobile app during its monthly Board of Director’s meeting today. The new interface will bring additional features and functionality to the home page and all bus customers will be able to use the app to purchase one-way, round-trip and discounted 10-trip tickets.

“NJ TRANSIT continues to upgrade our technology in an effort to improve the features on the app, allowing for a more convenient process for our customers,’’ said

NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “A clean, functional interface is critical for our mobile app users and this redesigned look provides for one tap access to each of the most popular features. We are proud to be an industry leader in mobile ticketing and we will continue to look for ways to put the latest technology in the hands of our customers.’’

Visually, the crisp look features a new home screen with a tile layout, for easier viewing of the options, larger buttons, and clearer colors. Tiles provide access to tickets, train schedules, DepartureVision and MyBus right from the home screen. A Quick Buy tile provides for one-tap purchases of favorite tickets. DepartureVision and MyBus will display and auto refresh right on the home screen.

NJ TRANSIT bus customers can now purchase monthly passes, discounted 10-trips, roundtrip and one-way tickets for both interstate and intrastate travel.

The NJ TRANSIT mobile app’s popularity has grown steadily since its introduction in 2013 as the MyTix program, and now has more than 1.2 million customer accounts.

While the upgrades won’t be in operation just yet, the current version of the NJ TRANSIT MyTix mobile app is now available for free download on any web-enabled iOS or Android device and will soon also accept Apple Pay and Android Pay. To purchase tickets, customers simply install the app and create an account, which will securely save a customer’s profile information and purchase history.

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Reader says Since NJT raised the fare more than 1 yr ago things have been going downhill

Ridgewood_Train_station_train-_is_coming_theridgewoodblog

NJ Transit is trash. Have a polling of people who traveled yesterday and I don’t think they get a passing grade. It wasn’t even a major storm and they consider it a success doing their job.
Since fare was raised more than 1 yr ago things have been going downhill. To pay more than $300 for such crappy service is a robbery. They raised fees, eliminated trains at rush hour, shortened number of cars and now you have overcrowded trains where you have to push in order to get a seat. Add to it daily morning delays from Secaucus to NY and you have a garbage service. As long as no one complains loudly we will keep getting screwed.

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NJ TRANSIT KEEPS SYSTEM MOVING DURING WINTER STORM

ridgewood train station

Cross Honoring Remains in Effect between NJ TRANSIT’s services

February 9, 2017

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT anticipates the continuation of regular weekday service on its rail, bus and light rail systems for the remainder of the service day on Thursday and into Friday’s morning commute.  Access Link in north and central New Jersey remains suspended for Thursday.  Cross honoring remains in effect for rail, bus and light rail until further notice.

Customers are strongly advised to monitor the status of the system by checking njtransit.com frequently.  Customers are also encouraged 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 social media feeds on Twitter and Facebook, as well as tune in to broadcast traffic reports for the latest information.

Through a combination of preparation and hard work,

NJ TRANSIT operated the majority of its regular weekday service through the height of the winter storm.  Some delays were experienced on rail and bus lines due to the weather and localized road conditions.  Some bus lines were truncated due to road conditions.  Ridership across the system was diminished as many customers chose to stay at home or work remotely.

NJ TRANSIT continues to have personnel and assets in position in order to address any issues that may arise during the aftermath of the winter weather.

NJ TRANSIT’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains open and continues to monitor any impacts the storm has on the system.  The EOC will remain active overnight and into Friday.

NJ TRANSIT utilized roaming crews to conduct snow removal operations at rail and light rail stations as well as at bus terminals and facilities.  Rail operations activated its jet powered snow blowers to clear switches at major rail yards.

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.

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NJ TRANSIT CROSS HONORING AS OFF 4AM TODAY!

Snow Blizzard of 2016 Ridgewood CBD

file photo by Boyd Loving

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.

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De Blasio administration raises concerns about new Manhattan bus terminal

saturday-night-fever-image

By RYAN HUTCHINS and SALLY GOLDENBERG

02/07/17 06:02 PM EST

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration is raising concerns about the effects of building a new Port Authority Bus Terminal on the Far West Side of Manhattan, saying this week that the bi-state agency must explore possible alternatives as it prepares to construct a new facility.

The position is sure to stoke fresh acrimony between public officials on both sides of the Hudson River after they had come to an understanding about how to move forward with the new terminal.

https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/02/de-blasio-administration-raises-concerns-about-new-manhattan-bus-terminal-109420

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Reader says commuting sucks and commuting via NJ transit sucks more

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We all understand commuting sucks and commuting via NJ transit sucks more, but that still doesn’t mean you need to act like a mean, arrogant, jerk. Commuter issues are not more important to anyone else’s issues. And guess what to the other posters ranting on facebook? you can leave your house earlier to park farther. Or you can stop buying the expensive passes, park elsewhere and see if decreased demand reduces prices. You knew the situation when you moved here or at least should have

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Unions sue N.J. over ban on engineers with suspended licenses driving trains

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By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on January 09, 2017 at 12:55 PM, updated January 09, 2017 at 5:19 PM

Unions representing locomotive engineers filed a lawsuit to overturn a state law that prohibits NJ Transit engineers from operating trains if their motor vehicle driver’s license is suspended.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court Trenton on Monday by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD). Union officials contend that the state law, which was signed by Gov. Chris Christie in August, conflicts with federal regulations, is punitive and doesn’t improve safety.

The bill was proposed in May after news reports of an NJ Transit locomotive engineer who was still operating trains while his driver’s license was suspended for 10 years.

https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2017/01/unions_sue_nj_over_ban_on_engineers_with_suspended_licenses_driving_trains.html?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_home

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New Jersey Transit Ads Travel Options of New Years Eve

Ridgewood Train Station

file photo by Archick

EXTRA SERVICE AND SAVINGS FOR HOLIDAY WEEK, INCLUDING DECEMBER 3

December 30,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  NJ TRANSIT is offering extra service for the holiday week, including on New Year’s Eve, to give customers more travel options for ringing in 2017, shopping at the mall or leaving work early.

In addition, NJ TRANSIT is continuing their savings plans through a special extension of the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows up to two children between the ages of 5 and 11 to travel free with each fare-paying customer.  Up to three children age 4 and under can also travel free with a fare-paying customer. Usually limited to weekends, the Family SuperSaver Fare is now in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, on all trains, buses and light rail lines.

“This is the time of year when so many special events take place and many visitors are using NJ TRANSIT to get where they need to go,’’ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “NJ TRANSIT is pleased to offer the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows our customers to stretch their holiday budgets just a bit. So leave the car behind and use NJ TRANSIT to go the mall, get into New York City or gather at a loved one’s home without the hassle of driving.’’

For complete schedule and fare information, customers may visit njtransit.com and click on the Holiday Early Getaway Service marquee or call 973-275-5555.

A new, key feature to aid customers this holiday season is “The Commuter Tool Kit – The Tools You Need for a Better Travel Experience,’’ a colorful campaign designed for both the everyday commuter and visitor travelling on NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus, light rail and Access Link systems. Several features such as the mobile app, trip planner, ticket purchase options, travel information and travel savings are highlighted in the campaign. The brochure is printed in both English and Spanish.

The Commuter Tool Kit is available in brochure form and on the NJ TRANSIT website, in digital displays and delivered through the agency’s social media channels.

Customers can also take advantage of other ways to save money. NJ TRANSIT works with promotional partners throughout the year to offer discounts to many entertainment venues. Customers can go to njtransit.com/deals for special offers on show tickets, admission costs and travel this holiday season.

On Tuesday, December 27, Wednesday, December 28, Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30, the trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule with certain morning peak period trains cancelled and additional mid-to-late morning service on each line. Rail customers are encouraged to visit njtransit.com 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. Select 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 a timetable or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for details.

On New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31, trains will operate on a weekend schedule. In the evening, there will be extra train service 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 are available at njtransit.com.

Buses will operate on a Saturday schedule with extra early evening service inbound and extra outbound from PABT after midnight on select routes. Customers are advised to consult a timetable or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for more details.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail and River LINE will operate on a Saturday schedule. River LINE and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will both operate some additional trips on a ‘load and go’ capacity after the fireworks displays during the early hours of January 1.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  No open containers of alcohol will be permitted on board trains, buses or light rail vehicles or in any NJ TRANSIT facility on New Year’s Eve and after midnight on New Year’s Day.  This policy will be strictly enforced.

After midnight (early January 1), additional late-night trains will operate on most rail lines with one-seat ride service available on certain Raritan Valley Line and North Jersey Coast Line trains. Some trains that normally depart New York/Hoboken/Newark between midnight and 1 a.m. are cancelled and will be replaced with later trains. 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. 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, Sunday, January 1, after 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend schedule.  In addition, Meadowlands service will operate for the Jets vs. Bills game. Customers should visit njtransit.com for more details. 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. Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Customers are advised to visit njtransit.com for details.

On Monday, January 2 (observed), trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines with additional morning and evening peak trains on most lines. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details. Most bus routes will operate on a Saturday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. River LINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Consult njtransit.com for additional details.

Travel tips

Check Schedules in Advance:  Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
Travel Early:  On December 27-30, 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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Car on the Tracks Halts Main Line and Bergen Line Train Service

Car on the Tracks Halts Main Line and Bergen Line Train Service

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

December 26,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ho Ho Kus NJ, Train traffic on NJ Transit’s Main and Bergen Lines was halted in both directions through Ho-Ho-Kus on Sunday evening, 12/25 after the adult female driver of a 4-door Acura sedan became disoriented and drove her vehicle onto the tracks just north of the Ho-Ho-Kus train station platform. The vehicle was removed from the tracks by a flatbed tow truck. There was no damage to the tracks and following removal, the vehicle was able to be driven away on its own power. Ho-Ho-Kus PD, Ridgewood PD, and NJ Transit PD officers responded to the incident.

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NJT: DRUNK TRAINS DISCHARGING LATE NIGHT IN RIDGEWOOD

Ridgewood Train Station

file photo by ArtChick

December 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, a reader and frequent commuter has mentioned this issue before and this time of year we thought it was important to remind people of the dangers. No one has a problem with people out haveing a good time ,but this excessive binge drinking at holiday parties and sporting events needs to be better monitored .

“More and more after hockey or basketball games, Friday night after work Ridgewood bound NYC trains bring
holiday bingers especially the post 12 midnite train known as the Drunk train.

NJT Releases the crowd of zombies onto the Ridgewood platforms ,many incoherent and alone it is a tragedy waiting to happen.
Conductors often call the situation into local police and move the train onto its next stop. With winter and darkness, there is only trouble ahead.Kids getting sick on the train create a real safety issue for local police.

Don’t want to babysit these young adults ,and reality is unless a Good Samaritan intervenes there is Risk to many young people.
I have been at Penn station and witnesses co-workers putting young lady’s on the train and wishing them luck to their destination . Some can’t even tell you their name or cell number to call their Family.

This is a bigger problem than anyone lets on, excessive drinking is creating a hazard that no one including NJT
NJT and local police are largely ignoring this problem hoping the Incapacitated person will  just stager away so they can get on with their next stop.

Train stations are dangerous places for sick and Incapacitated people.You could freeze to death if you pass out.Especial if you miss your stop , end up in Suffern and the trains stop running after 145 am.

It’s a don’t ask don’t tell policy,Police do respond at some point but human nature is to hope the Drunk just walks away.”

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NJ TRANSIT PREPARED FOR WINTER WEATHER SEASON

ridgewood train station

Equipment, Supplies and Personnel are Ready for Mother Nature

December 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, “We can’t predict what kind of winter season we will have, but I can say with confidence that NJ TRANSIT will be as ready as we can be” said Executive Director Steven H. Santoro.  “The safety of our customers and employees is always the top priority as we work to keep our transportation system moving during the winter weather season.”NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT is prepared to do battle with Old Man Winter this season.  Snow fighting supplies and equipment across the state are stocked and ready to be deployed as conditions warrant.  NJ TRANSIT is busy inspecting and winterizing its infrastructure, equipment and stations to be in the best possible position to handle winter’s potential fury.

Executive Director Santoro outlined the following steps NJ TRANSIT has taken in advance of possible inclement weather:
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.
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.

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Will Donald Trump be the Gateway to that crucial rail project for New Jersey? | Mulshine

Ridgewood_Train_station_train-_is_coming_theridgewoodblog

By  Paul Mulshine | The Star Ledger

on December 08, 2016 at 6:28 AM, updated December 08, 2016 at 6:29 AM

You don’t need Wikipedia to tell you that New Jersey is the most densely populated state. Just go for a drive.

That brings up a question that hung over a joint legislative committee hearing on transportation Tuesday:

What will the effort to build transportation infrastructure look like under President Trump?

The Donald may have gotten elected with the votes from people who live in states where driving is a perfectly fine way of getting around. But he is a New Yorker and therefore congenitally inclined to understand the transportation needs of this part of the country.

The Donald’s No. 1 boast is that he knows how to get around the bureaucracy that stalls construction. In his 1987 book “The Art of the Deal,” Trump tells of how the city of New York began in 1980 to rebuild the Wollman ice-skating rink in Central Park but still had not completed it six years later.

“If it took me two and a half years to put up a major skyscraper,” he wrote, “surely it was possible to build a $2 million ice-skating rink in a matter of months.”

Trump took over the project and finished it in six months.

Compare that to the attitude of the many conflicting government entities that throttled the predecessor to Amtrak’s Gateway Project, which would add two new rail tunnels to Manhattan.

The original Access to the Region’s Core plan in the 1990s was to build two new tunnels that would be shared by NJ Transit and Amtrak trains.

https://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/12/will_donald_trump_be_the_gateway_to_that_crucial_r.html?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_index