The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Ridgewood NJ, in what the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey calls “Inflation-based increases” and claiming they are required to fund highest levels of investment in its history and operations of Port Authority’s vital transportation assets;
Continue reading Port Authority Approves Massive Toll Increases
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TENAFLY NJ, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg today made the following opening statement at the hearing of the formal environmental review process for the replacement and expansion of the new Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City:
“This day has been a long time coming. Three years ago, the expansion of the Port Authority Bus Terminal to accommodate 30,000 additional New Jersey bus commuters wasn’t even in the Port Authority’s 10-Year Capital Plan.
Continue reading Port Authority Bus Terminal Expansion Critical for Additional Capacity, Improve Quality of Commute
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New York NY, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey record-setting use of its facilities and with major redevelopment projects underway across the region, the Port Authority today advanced to its Board of Commissioners a proposal for the first inflation-based toll increases to the agency’s six bridges and tunnels since 2015 in line with the inflation-adjusted schedule mandated by the Board in 2008 and reaffirmed in 2011. The automatic increases are triggered when the cumulative impact of inflation on existing toll rates reaches $1.00, as measured from the last increase. The cumulative impact of inflation since 2015 will reach this level in 2020, prompting an increase of the cash toll rate at all Port Authority crossings from $15.00 to $16.00, as of January 5, 2020. The proposal also makes changes to three other aspects of the toll schedule: 1) discounts for out-of-state E-ZPass accounts; 2) the NY/NJ Staten Island Bridges discount program; and 3) the Carpool Discount program.
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Hoboken NJ , Capacity increases leverage more than $1 billion in capital investment in new signal system, in new rail cars, and in new station modifications announced today;
Newark to WTC line will move to 9-car trains and 3-minute headways in Q4 2022.
Today the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled the PATH Improvement Plan. The Plan will provide major capacity increases across the PATH system by 2022, including a conversion of the Newark to WTC line from 8-car trains to 9-car trains running every three minutes during the peak of rush hour periods. In addition, the Plan outlines a detailed, six-point delay reduction initiative to be implemented over the next 30-months, a new fare payment system to be introduced by 2022, and a set of customer service initiatives.
Continue reading PATH ANNOUNCES 3-YEAR PLAN TO INCREASE CAPACITY BY 40% ON NEWARK-WTC LINE AND BY 20% ON OTHER THREE LINES
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Fort Lee NJ, A former top official of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his role in a scheme to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, by misusing Port Authority resources to cause traffic problems in the borough, Attorney for the United States Mark Coyne announced.
William E. Baroni Jr., 47, formerly the deputy executive director of the Port Authority, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.
Continue reading Door Closes on “Bridgegate”
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Newark NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today visited Newark Liberty International Airport and stressed the urgent need for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to act quickly to fund a new AirTrain system. Currently, AirTrain moves about 33,000 riders per day between Newark Airport terminals, parking lots, car rental facilities, to public transportation and the Northeast Corridor Rail Link, transporting more than 11 million riders annually. However, the system is nearing the end of its useful life and is beyond capacity constraints. The current AirTrain also interferes with plans for future locations of terminals, roadways, and airfield taxi lanes.
Continue reading Governor Murphy Calls on Port Authority to Build New AirTrain System at Newark Airport
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Woodcliff Lake NJ, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi relays her thoughts on improving Rockland/Coach bus service. I have used the service in the past and while the drivers are professional the company demonstrates a complete lack of interest in servicing North Jersey commuters and as a long time commuter I would rate the service as TERRIBLE at best . It is often incomprehensible how poor the service actually is. Its odd because Coach that runs the service from the Ridgewood Park and Ride does a far better job than Rockland and Rockland is just a division of the same company COACH USA.
Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi :
Last night, I, Carlos A. Rendo Mayor-Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Councilwoman Jacquie Gadaleta, Catherine Best from Congressman Gottheimer’s office, Borough Administrator Tom Padilla, Woodcliff Lake resident commuters and representatives from Rockland/Coach USA met to discuss ways to improve bus service for our residents. Over the past several months we have received numerous complaints regarding the reliability of bus service from our area into the Port Authority as well as the failure of Rockland/Coach USA to properly communicate with commuters regarding interruptions in service.
During last evening’s meeting, Rockland’s new general manager and Executive Vice President acknowledged these issues and discussed immediate action plans to remedy the service and communication problems. 30 new longer buses have been acquired by the Company, increasing the number of seats on these buses to 59 passengers from the previous 47. This should help with the issues of no seats for last pick up areas such as Woodcliff Lake. 5 “gap” buses are currently in training to fill in if a bus becomes disabled or a driver doesn’t show up to work. In January the Company is planning to start a new bus originating in Woodcliff Lake during the height of the rush hour to ensure adequate seating for its customers.
With respect to lack of communication, Rockland is exploring new apps which could provide real time alerts to commuters in the event of a delay or change in bus schedule. Dispatchers are being trained specifically to address customer service issues and a full time manager is now on site at the Westwood bus depot to oversee operations.
While we all acknowledge these problems will not be fixed overnight, the steps being taken by the Company appear to be a step in a positive direction. We have agreed to meet as a group again at the end of January beginning of February to evaluate the changes made between now and then. Should you encounter any commuter difficulties over the next 6 weeks while on Rockland buses please reach out and let us know so that we may bring it to the Company’s attention.
April 27,2018
Tenafly Police Department
Tenafly NJ, The Tenafly Police Department has received a great deal of attention over the last 72 hours after dash-cam video of our officers on a recent motor vehicle stop was released to the media. This incident has shed a positive light on law enforcement while highlighting some challenges that officers often face in the performance of their duties. In response to the interaction captured on video that afternoon, we have received hundreds of phone calls and emails from people all across the United States and Canada commenting on the professionalism, patience, and restraint exhibited by the officers. We are extremely proud of how our officers handled themselves and would like to thank everyone that contacted our agency in support of their actions. Your kind words of encouragement and praise are truly appreciated. We promise that as we move forward, we will continue to incorporate technology, progressive training methods, sound policies & procedures, and individual accountability in an attempt to maintain the highest standards of professionalism while serving the residents of Tenafly. Once again, we sincerely thank everyone all across the country for voicing their support of our officers and the entire law enforcement community.
Newark NJ, Extension would provide access to the airport via a one-seat ride from Manhattan and add transit access to the Dayton Street neighborhood in Newark’s South Ward
The Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners today authorized $57 million in planning funds for the first phase of the PATH system extension to Newark Liberty International Airport, a projected $1.7-billion project that is a key component of the board’s 2017-2026 capital plan and essential to improved regional rail service for the commuting public.
“The Port Authority is committed to making critical investments in a transportation network that supports regional growth and meets the demands of the millions of people who live, work and visit the region,” said Port Authority Chairman John Degnan. “This planning effort will provide analysis of key components – ridership data, cost updates, environmental and economic impacts – to help the agency continue to evaluate the project before moving forward with construction.”
“Our 10-year capital plan dedicates $32 billion towards strategic investments to support the modernization of critical transportation infrastructure,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. “This project improves transportation access to Newark Airport while extending PATH’s trans-Hudson network in Newark.”
Subject to completion of the environmental review process and project authorization by the Port Authority board, the project would include a new station in Newark’s South Ward Dayton Street neighborhood, a new rail yard facility and modification of existing platforms at Newark Penn Station to accommodate increased passenger flow.
Today’s authorization provides funding critical to move the project through preliminary design and the required environmental review process. It includes funds for environmental and transportation services, including preliminary engineering work as well as program and project management services.
Currently, the PATH Newark-to-World Trade Center line’s western-most point is Newark Penn Station. The project will extend the line west through the Dayton Street neighborhood in Newark’s South Ward, ending at the Newark Liberty rail link station.
Once approved, construction of the extension is expected to begin in 2020 with full revenue service to start in 2026. As a multimodal transportation hub, the new station also will reduce traffic congestion and provide environmental benefits through increased use of public transportation.
editors note : we run theses stories every year
Updated April 11, 2017
Posted April 11, 2017
By Kelly Heyboer and Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Most veteran police officers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey earn about $90,000 a year in base pay. But, some officers pocket double — or even triple — that amount each year thanks to an abundance of overtime.
Last year, the Port Authority employees racked up 2.2 million hours worth of overtime doing everything from PATH train maintenance to clearing snow from airport runways and patrolling the World Trade Center.
The overtime bill totaled $262 million, about $2.8 million over budget, according to a Port Authority report. Thanks to overtime pay, some rank-and-file Port Authority police officers took home more than $300,000 in total pay for the year — more than the agency’s executive director.
The overtime helped “ensure that our customers and staff traveled and operated in safe and secure facilities, and that the agency met federal mandates such as rail safety improvements, and addressed our dynamic security, operational and maintenance needs,” a report detailing the costs said.
Here are the 26 Port Authority employees who earned the most in overtime in 2016, according to the agency’s payroll records:
TIPS FOR COMMUTERS
April 7,2017
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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 .
By Post Editorial Board
March 19, 2017 | 8:55pm
Think the Port Authority is slow and dysfunctional now? Watch what happens if lawmakers OK Gov. Cuomo’s demand for a new “New York” inspector general/prosecutor for the PA. A wooly mammoth trapped in a tar pit would move faster.
That became clear over the past two weeks amid a wave of scathing criticism — and not just from the New Jersey side of the bi-state agency.
Cuomo’s IG would be installed by — and answer to — him alone, with the power to prosecute crimes that affect New York. But a resolution in the Jersey Senate calls that “patently illegal.” Its Office of Legislative Services concludes the PA would “have no obligation to comply.”
So, expect the idea to be dragged into court, tying up vital agency business, possibly for years. That would slow or freeze a host of vital, multibillion-dollar projects, from airport renovation to a new Hudson rail tunnel.
In a letter to lawmakers, six PA commissioners (including Ken Lipper, who was tapped by Cuomo himself) say the gov wants “dictatorial” control over the PA by gaining the power to threaten prosecution. They say some of them would quit, along with top managers, if the IG were OK’d.
https://nypost.com/2017/03/19/cuomos-no-win-port-authority-power-grab/
Posted on March 12, 2017 at 10:00 AM
By Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff
In 2021, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will be 100 years old. How shall we celebrate?
It’s been a busy couple of years for Port Authority watchers. As if the fundamentally bizarre Bridgegate mess, an old-school bribery scandal involving a former Port Authority chairman and United Airlines, and recent back-to-the-future revelations that almost 40 Port Authority police officers may have systematically neglected their duties weren’t enough to feed the tabloid maw, recent months have seen a notable escalation of bitter power struggles between New York and New Jersey over the Port Authority’s $32 billion capital plan and long-overdue legislation to revamp the bistate authority’s awkward governance structure.
Inevitably, like sharks drawn by the scent of blood in the water, opportunistic politicians and well-meaning advocates have leveraged the current stalemate and confusion to advance a range of ideas for reforming and restructuring the Port Authority. And why not? Can you think of a better time to have an open and informed public conversation about the Port Authority?
Let’s begin at the beginning: Should this bistate agency exist?
At least one Emergency Service Unit tandem — two cops equipped with harnesses — would be permanently stationed on the George Washington Bridge to more quickly respond to people trying to jump from the iconic span, according to a proposal under consideration.
The Port Authority Police Department’s top cop said Monday that the plan would be discussed Tuesday — among other options — to address safety concerns raised by union officials and officers assigned to the agency’s suicide prevention team.
“The safety of our officers is the most important thing,” said Port Authority Police Superintendent Michael Fedorko. “I want to give them all the support they need.”
The Daily News reported Sunday that members of the Port Authority Police Department’s Suicide Prevention Walkway Patrol-Suicide Prevention Team saved 70 people from jumping from the George Washington Bridge last year.
February 20,2017
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With milestone, bridge becomes the Port Authority’s first all-cashless tolling facility
The Bayonne Bridge’s new elevated roadway will open to drivers on Monday at 5 a.m., ushering in a new era for the 85-year-old arch bridge that will now become the Port Authority’s first all-cashless tolling facility.
The new roadway is 215 feet above the Kill van Kull and 64 feet above the original bridge deck. It is part of the Port Authority’s “Raise the Roadway” initiative to provide navigational clearance for the larger container vessels now using the expanded Panama Canal that are expected to arrive at all agency port facilities later this year.
The project represents a unique engineering achievement, during which the new roadway was built while the existing roadway remained in service with limited disruption to traffic.
When the new roadway opens, the existing toll plaza will be taken out of service and replaced with an overhead gantry, mounted with electronic toll collection equipment. Drivers will no longer slow down or stop at a toll booth, and will benefit from being able to continue driving through the crossing at the posted speed limit.
More than 90 percent of Bayonne Bridge drivers already use E-ZPass and they will experience no other changes. However, E-ZPass users must make sure their tag is properly mounted in the vehicle’s windshield, to ensure it will be detected by the electronic toll collecting equipment.
For the less than 10 percent of Bayonne Bridge drivers who do not use E-ZPass, an overhead camera will photograph the vehicle’s license plate and a toll bill will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. These bills must be paid by the due date noted on the bill. Unpaid toll bills will be assessed additional fees and ultimately escalate to violations, with a $50 fee assessed for each violation.
Further information about cashless tolling at the Bayonne Bridge can be found at www.panynj.gov/BayonneToll.
The Port Authority aggressively enforces toll payment through a multi-pronged approach that focuses primarily on persistent toll violators. Unpaid toll violations are sent to a collection agency and may be pursued through litigation. Toll evaders also may face criminal charges and arrest by Port Authority Police. The agency also partners with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to seek the suspension of vehicle registrations for persistent violators with New York-registered vehicles.
When the new roadway opens, all traffic crossing Route 440 between Bayonne, N.J. and Staten Island, N.Y. will be directed by signs to the bridge’s new approach roadways and over the elevated span.
“On February 20, we will make history,’’ said Steven Plate, the Port Authority’s chief of major capital projects. “The Bayonne Bridge, a marvel of 20th century engineering, will become a groundbreaking innovation of the 21st century.’’
At first, the new Bayonne Bridge roadway will continue to accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction. The new roadway will reach its full width – four 12-foot lanes plus inner and outer shoulders, a median barrier and a 10-foot shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians – by 2019.
The Bayonne Bridge “Raise the Roadway” project will enable today’s larger, more efficient and more environmentally beneficial container ships to pass beneath the Bayonne Bridge when traveling to Port Newark/Elizabeth and Howland Hook. The project is under construction by the joint venture of Skanska/Koch/Kiewit Infrastructure Co. (JV).