The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York Penn Station, on Thursday, NJ Transit commuters experienced a nightmare scenario when their train lost power in a tunnel, leaving them stranded for nearly three hours without air conditioning. The incident unfolded when the train suffered a power disruption affecting multiple tracks, leading to a prolonged ordeal for passengers.
Continue reading NJ Transit Train Fiasco: Commuters Trapped for Hours Without AC in Tunnel
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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.
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Ridgewood NJ, In advance of upcoming Amtrak track work at Penn Station New York this summer and resulting service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT is inviting customers to interact with senior management and operations personnel at the latest “We Are Listening” forums at Hoboken Terminal on Wednesday, May 15th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Penn Station New York Thursday, May 16th from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Continue reading NJ TRANSIT TO HOST CUSTOMER FORUMS IN HOBOKEN AND NEW YORK
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Beginning June 17, 2019, NJ TRANSIT will be temporarily diverting select Midtown Direct rail service on the Montclair-Boonton Line and one North Jersey Coast Line train to Hoboken, in order to accommodate vital Amtrak repair work that will take two tracks at Penn Station New York (PSNY) out of service. Other temporary service adjustments will include Morris & Essex Line Midtown Direct trains no longer stopping at Newark Broad Street station during the morning and evening peak periods, and a limited number of Midtown Direct reverse-peak trains will operate from Hoboken. Please see below for impacts to specific trains and suggested alternates.
Continue reading EXPECT DELAYS BUT NO SERVICE CHANGES FOR MAIN/BERGEN LINE DURING AMTRAK PENN STATION SUMMER WORK
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
NEW YORK NJ, Today, U.S. Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Peter King (NY-02) introduced a new bipartisan bill demanding a contingency plan for the “Doomsday” scenario if one, or both, of the two North River Tunnels is shut down beneath the Hudson River. They also stressed the immediate need for the Gateway Tunnel.
The North River Tunnel tracks carry 200,000 travelers daily and are crumbling after damage from more than 100 years of use and flooding during Superstorm Sandy. Last week, the Regional Plan Association released “A Preventable Crisis,” a report outlining the catastrophic economic consequences of a tunnel being shut down.
Continue reading Josh Gottheimer and Peter King Press “Doomsday Plan” For Hudson Tunnel Failure
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, At a press conference in New York Penn Station, Governor Murphy, Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia, and NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett today announced the finalizing of a financial settlement that that paves the way to ongoing and future improvements to the infrastructure, customer experience, and safety of our customers. The press conference also shared updates on several joint projects, including Penn Station, critical infrastructure projects, and safety, showcasing a commitment to collaboration and improving the customer experience to the traveling public.
“Investing in our infrastructure, improving customer experience, and enhancing the safety of the traveling public are among the highest priorities of our Administration,” said Governor Murphy. “The announcement today establishes a partnership that will achieve these goals now, and lays the financial foundation for continued improvements into the future. After eight years of disinvestment in, and mismanagement of, NJTRANSIT, collaborative partnerships like the one we are announcing today will go a long way to restoring the agency to its former preeminence.”
Continue reading Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT Announce Financial Settlement
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WEEHAWKEN NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today toured the North River Tunnel with state legislative leadership and members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation. The 108 year old North River Tunnel has been in disrepair and in dire need of replacement since extensive damage was caused by Hurricane Sandy.
“The rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel and construction of the new Hudson Tunnel is crucial to the tri-state area, and in particular New Jersey,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “It is time for the Trump administration to prioritize the needs of commuters and our nation’s economy, and commit to funding the Gateway Program.”
Continue reading Governor Murphy Tours Hudson River Tunnel with Legislative Leadership and Congressional Delegation
By DANA RUBINSTEIN
07/06/2017 02:06 PM EDT
A plan to build a new passenger rail tunnel — and repair the existing one that’s now falling apart — will cost nearly $13 billion and could, perhaps, be completed in late 2026, according to a draft environmental impact statement released Thursday.
That $13 billion represents an increase over the original estimate of the project, which was routinely pegged by officials as somewhere in the $8 to $10 billion range.
The new estimates might be conceptual too.
Bergen Line and Main Line and Port Jervis customers can expect delays ,but schedule remains unaffected .
July 8,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is reminding customers that the summer rail service changes due to Amtrak track work at Penn Station New York (PSNY) will go into effect on Monday, July 10th. This includes the diversion of all M&E Midtown Direct trains scheduled to arrive in PSNY after 7 a.m. to Hoboken Terminal, where alternate bus, ferry and PATH service is available. Additional busing will be in place at key locations.
“This has been an all-hands-on-deck effort to communicate with our customers,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steve Santoro. “If you haven’t done so already, I strongly urge all customers to utilize the next few days to familiarize yourself with all of your travel options.
“This will not be a normal commute for any of us including our customers, so we ask that you; stay connected to social media and our web page for the latest information; stay ahead by building in extra time for your commute; and stay cool and try not to lose patience. On Monday, our customer service ambassadors will be out in force, so if you have questions or need directions, just look for them in their bright yellow vests,” Santoro said.
For the past several weeks, NJ TRANSIT has been preparing its customers for these upcoming service changes. NJ TRANSIT has been engaging with customers through “We Are Listening” forums in Hoboken and PSNY, customer service ambassadors answering questions at key stations, senior and executive management staff riding M&E trains into PSNY during the morning rush hour in addition to informational flyers, newsletters, service alerts, internet advertising and a new section of the website devoted entirely to this effort at njtransit.com/theupdate. New paper rail schedules were printed reflecting the service changes and are available throughout the system. Electronic printable versions of the schedules can be found at njtransit.com/theupdate.
To accommodate Amtrak’s track repairs in July and August at PSNY, NJ TRANSIT must implement service changes weekdays only between Monday, July 10th and Friday, September 1st. NJ TRANSIT is strongly advising customers on all modes of transportation to remain aware of the status of the system by signing up for My Transit alerts, monitoring Twitter (@NJTRANSIT) and the website njtransit.com/theupdate.
NJ TRANSIT Service Plan July 10th- September 1st . The summer service plan will be in place weekdays from July 10th through September 1st and primary effect Morris & Essex Lines (M&E) customers. Bergen Line and Main Line and Port Jervis customers can expect delays ,but schedule remains unaffected .
By Vince Calio, June 5, 2017 at 12:51 PM
Amtrak and NJ Transit would use a new Gateway tunnel under the Hudson River. – (AARON HOUSTON)
Private firms will be sought to help finance and construct the $20 billion rail tunnel connecting northern New Jersey and New York City.
During its June 1 board meeting, the Gateway Program Development Board approved a move to solicit private construction and finance companies to complete the project under a public-private partnership model. In a typical P3 procurement model, private financial institutions would raise part of the money for a public project through a combination of debt and direct equity infusions, and then hire outside construction firms to complete it.
If implemented, the procurement model could pump several billion dollars into both New York and New Jersey’s economy, said the board’s chairman, Richard Bagger, during the meeting.
I go through this torture every day but I would beg Trump to not supply a penny to this corrupt empire of NY/NJ. This morning (Monday) Josh Gothheimer was making rounds on the train to Secaucus. This guy was “randomly” asking passengers about their feelings on NJ transit. Once he realized he was talking to a liberal he would prolong the conversation and take notes. I hate these politicians so much that I want to spit right in their face. They have found a goldmine in the naive population of NJ. How can they raise fares and provide a terrible service without any public protests is beyond me. These people who make the majority of commuters do not lift a finger when it comes to their money and life but are ready to shut down anyone who expresses an honest opinion. They would rather get screwed by their own politicians than say a single word.
By Michael Gartland
May 21, 2017 | 5:00pm
Governor Cuomo turned to President Trump on Sunday to help bail New Yorkers out of a looming mass transit crisis at Penn Station, a situation he likened to a natural disaster.
In a letter to Trump dated May 21, Cuomo requested “the federal government treat this as an emergency situation” and asked Trump to provide funding for construction and transportation alternatives, as well as for a long-term solution.
“While this is not a hurricane or flood it will affect as many people and businesses with dire consequences,” Cuomo continues. “Like a natural disaster, we didn’t create it but our public offices require we address it.”
https://nypost.com/2017/05/21/cuomo-asks-trump-for-help-with-disastrous-penn-station/
Pandemonium erupted at Penn Station Friday after Amtrak police used a stun gun on an unruly man — sending scared riders scrambling for safety.
The transit hub was unusually crowded at rush hour thanks to an NJ Transit train that stalled in a tunnel earlier, causing massive delays to kick off the holiday weekend.
Cops confronted a man and subdued him with a stun gun around 6:30 p.m., sparking a stampede of frightened travelers who feared that a shooting had taken place.
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today issued a joint letter to the CEO of Amtrak and Executive Director of the Federal Railroad Administration calling for a complete review of Amtrak’s infrastructure and maintenance protocols at Penn Station.
The text of the letter is below:
“Following recent train derailments and severe service disruptions at New York’s Pennsylvania Station, the need for a complete review of Amtrak’s infrastructure and maintenance protocols has become clear. While Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration are undertaking these badly needed assessments, the states of New York and New Jersey have not been invited to participate in the assessment and in the development of the needed response.
“As the primary users of Penn Station via the Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit, New York and New Jersey are requesting independent verification of track safety at Penn Station. Specifically, this comprehensive review should take into account the causes of recent failures at Penn Station and any needed changes to the processes by which routine maintenance and emergency repairs are performed.
“As you know, Penn Station is more than just a rail hub – it is a regional economic engine. The Long Island Rail Road carries 230,000 passengers through Penn Station every day. NJ Transit brings nearly 200,000 commuters to and from Manhattan every day. These riders, residents of our states, deserve safe and reliable rail service.
“Severe service disruptions at Penn Station not only impact and inconvenience riders, but also create a ripple effect across the region.
“Our passengers and our residents deserve better. “
TIPS FOR COMMUTERS
April 7,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, At 6:55 a.m., Amtrak advised NJ TRANSIT that all but one track is back in service at Penn Station New York (PSNY). NJ TRANSIT’s MidTOWN Direct Service has been operating to PSNY this morning, and the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line train service is operating on their regular weekday schedules.
Trains are running with 15-20 delays !
As a precaution, NJ TRANSIT is advising customers that they may experience some delays and should give themselves some extra time to get to their destinations. We also urge customers to check njtransit.com before traveling.
At approximately 9 a.m. Monday morning, NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor line train #3926 experienced a slow-speed derailment while pulling in to Track 9 at New York’s Penn Station. Three cars in the middle of the ten car train derailed. These were cars 5, 6, and 7. Amtrak, which owns and maintains the tracks near Penn Station New York, has determined that a track problem was the cause of the derailment.
As long term commuters many on the staff of the Ridgewood blog would like to offer the following advise : Always have a backup plan or a plan B . Long term commuters often have a plan C as well .