Ridgewood NJ, The train station parking lot is being reconfigured to create additional parking spaces. W have been informed that the construction will begin on Thursday April 4th not Wednesday, April 3, 2019, with 30 to 40 parking spaces, both metered and unmetered, being temporarily unavailable from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The construction will last approximately three to four months. In addition, meters in the train station lot will be replaced with a central parking kiosk to receive payment. Payment may also be made by Parkmobile.
As a reminder, the premium parking permit (the hang tag which is used in the train station lot) may be used in all parking lots, except the Hudson Street parking lot. The premium parking permit is not valid in the shoppers/diners parking spaces nor is it valid in the Central Business District Employee parking spaces.
Ridgewood NJ, All 14 Assistant Conductors that enrolled in NJ TRANSIT’S pilot conductor-to-engineer training program have successfully completed classroom instruction and testing. The first class of its kind at NJ TRANSIT, 100% of the Assistant Conductors will be moving onto phase two to begin on-the-job training in the field.
“This class of Assistant Conductors did an incredible job of learning an immense amount of material,’’ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “The hard work and dedication this class has shown is evident by their impressive success rate. I wish them well on the second phase of their training and look forward to having them operating their own trains in revenue service before the end of this year.”
NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES OVER $800 MILLION IN UPCOMING CONTRACTING WORK
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT hosted a packed event with prime contractors, small businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) today, showcasing upcoming capital construction projects, and opportunities to connect and do business with the agency. Approximately 150 people attended the event to learn more about over $800 million in contracting opportunities in capital projects that will be available in the upcoming year.
Attendees of the conference heard from NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett and New Jersey State Diversity Officer Hester Agudosi, who underscored the State’s commitment to rebuilding infrastructure and investing in state-of-good-repair projects, and the commitment to diversify and build capacity in the contracting pool.
Ridgewood NJ, the Village of Ridgewood has removed several shade trees c along the Ridgewood Train station .
The Ridgewood Train station is a major New Jersey Transit rail station hub. It is located in downtown Ridgewood in the Central Business . It is served by the NJT Main Line as well as the Bergen County Line. Ridgewood is one of two transfer options presented at the time of ticket purchase (Secaucus Junction is the other) and is widely used for that purpose.
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.
Gottheimer, King Announce Bill Demanding “Doomsday Plan” For Tunnel Failure
What Do We Do When the Train Tunnels Fail and We Can’t Get In or Out of New York City?
Ridgewood NJ, Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Peter King (NY-02) announced their new bill to demand an economic estimate and contingency plan for the “Doomsday” scenario where one of the two North River Tunnels must be shut down beneath the Hudson River.
The North River Tunnels carry 200,000 travelers daily and are crumbling after damage from over 100 years of use and flooding during Superstorm Sandy. On Tuesday, the Regional Plan Association released “A Preventable Crisis,” a report outlining the catastrophic economic consequences of a tunnel being shut down.
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT has received Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval on its submission for the Positive Train Control (PTC) alternative schedule, which allows for full PTC implementation by the end of 2020. In approving the request, the FRA certified that NJ TRANSIT successfully met all of the criteria required by the end of 2018.
“This accomplishment is the result of a herculean effort by NJ TRANSIT leadership and staff to turn around a once languishing PTC program left to us by the prior administration,” said Governor Murphy. “There are few one-year achievements this administration is prouder of because getting PTC done, and done right, is the driving force behind the rest of our efforts to fully restore NJ TRANSIT into a transportation system that New Jersey residents deserve.”
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.”
Ridgewood NJ, Thursday, January 17 Governor Phil Murphy told the NJ Daily Record reporter Curtis Tate , “NJ Transit riders may have to wait until the end of this year to see the system operate the way it’s supposed to”
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) today called for immediate action to resolve NJ Transit’s ongoing issues:
“Governor Murphy must take expeditious action to address the major issues plaguing NJ Transit,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “I’m calling on the Governor to take whatever action is necessary, whether it’s declaring a State of Emergency, bringing in out-of-state engineers, or any other solution. We must treat this exigent situation with the seriousness that it demands.”
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT anticipates regular weekend service on its rail, bus, light rail and Access Link services for Saturday and Sunday as long as weather conditions permit safe operation. Parts of New Jersey are forecasted to experience snow and icy roadway conditions with rapid freezing of wet surfaces. There is also a possibility of high wind conditions, which could impact the overhead wires on rail and light rail service.
IMPORTANT: Due to the potential snow and ice accumulation in conjunction with possible local and county travel bans, there is the potential for all bus service — including bus service to/from PABT– to be suspended at some point during the weekend. Customers will have advance notice of a service suspension. All customers should closely monitor njtransit.com, download the mobile app with push notifications, sign up for My Transit alerts, or monitor social media and broadcast news reports for the latest status of the system.
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT continues its efforts to maximize non-farebox revenue by leveraging prime retail locations at its train stations. NJ TRANSIT is pleased to announce a new retail lease agreement in Newark Penn Station. The new tenant, Top Shelf Wine and Liquor, is located in the Main Concourse of Newark Penn Station between tracks 2 and 3. The ten-year agreement is anticipated to generate more than $2.1 million in non-farebox rent revenue over the span of the lease term.
“Maximizing this non-farebox revenue is a win-win for customers and NJ TRANSIT and it’s consistent with recommendations coming out of the recent independent assessment by The North Highland Company,” said Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “It provides customers with conveniences and amenities at our stations while also delivering critical funding resources which we can reinvest in our transportation network.”
The store’s design blends the contemporary and historical elements of the station, enhancing the aesthetics of the Main Concourse of Newark Penn Station. Top Shelf Wine and Liquor is owned and operated by Stephen Penn and Kunal Kapoor, who bring more than 30 years of experience in the retail and beverage industries.
In August 2018, NJ TRANSIT’s Board of Directors approved the lease of more than 1,000 square feet of retail space in Newark Penn Station to Starbucks Corporation. The agreement will provide more than $1.6 million in non-farebox revenue to NJ TRANSIT over the 10-year lease. Starbucks will also make approximately $750,000 in leasehold improvements. While providing an additional revenue stream to NJ TRANSIT, customers will enjoy convenience of the nationally recognized brand in Newark Penn Station.
In Fiscal Year 2018, which ended June 30th, 2018, expanded retail leasing opportunities increased annual revenue by more than $800,000. This included leases at Metropark Station and Secaucus Junction, with tenants performing significant capital improvements at both locations.
In Fiscal Year 2019, which began July 1st, NJ TRANSIT estimates that property leases will generate more than $8.5 million in revenue. Overall, NJ TRANSIT’s Real Estate Department estimates that it will generate nearly $50 million in non-farebox revenue in FY19 through property leases, advertising, parking fees and property permits.
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT’s Board of Directors today approved Raymond P. Kenny as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Rail Operations at today’s special Board of Director’s meeting. “Ray is a national expert in the railroad industry and his knowledge of the complexities of the rail system in our region is unmatched,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “His leadership and management skills will be invaluable as we move NJ TRANSIT forward.” “Ray has a long and accomplished railroad career and we look forward to tapping his wealth of industry knowledge as we continue to transform NJ TRANSIT into a national leader,” said Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “Ray understands railroading from every angle, having started as a ticket clerk at LIRR and rising through the ranks to eventually lead LIRR as the busiest railroad in the country.”
Kenny has nearly 50 years of railroad industry experience including serving as former acting President of the MTA Long Island Railroad (LIRR). He has an extensive background in managing large teams in both transportation operations and capital improvements.
Most recently, Kenny has served with WSP as a consultant for operations and planning for agencies across the nation including the Gateway project, the Northeast Corridor Future project, business processes at Metro-North and emergency management plans at Metrolink in Los Angeles.
He began his transportation career in 1970 as a ticket clerk at LIRR. In 1975, he entered railroad dispatching for LIRR before rising through the ranks at LIRR with positions in personnel training and capital construction prior to leading the Transportation department.
Prior to NJ TRANSIT, Kenny served with WSP as a consultant where his experience included helping to improve Metro-North’s business processes including train crew availability, assisting Metrolink in Los Angeles with emergency management plans, a subject matter expert on the NEC Future project, which is a comprehensive planning effort to define, evaluate and prioritize future investments in the NEC, a subject matter expert for the Gateway project in the design of a new Penn Station New York and staging of train operations to facilitate construction. Most recently, Kenny was assigned to the Hartford, CT rail project as a commissioning agent, ensuring project schedule compliance on the start of a new rail line.
Ridgewood NJ, On New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule (same as December 24, 26, 27 and 28) until 6 p.m. There will be no getaway service. In the evening, extra North Jersey Coast and Morris & Essex Lines trains will operate 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 will be available at njtransit.com by Friday, December 21. Rail travel information for New Year’s Eve will also be available via the Trip Planner and Station-to-Station features on njtransit.com.
Buses will operate on a modified weekday or holiday schedule with “early getaway” service from Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Jersey City waterfront. There will also be early evening service inbound and extra outbound from PABT after midnight on select routes. Customers are advised to consult timetables or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for more details.
Hudson-Bergen and Newark Light Rail, and the River Line will operate on a regular weekday schedule. River LINE will run extended service every 30 minutes. The last River LINE train out of Camden due to the Philadelphia fireworks will be approximately 12:45am, the train will run as far north as necessary. Specific trip information will be available on njtransit.com.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NJ TRANSIT is prohibiting all beverages on all of its trains, light rail vehicles and buses on Monday, December 31, 2018, and the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 1, 2018. This policy will be strictly enforced.
After midnight(early January 1), additional late-night trains will operate on all lines until approximately 5 a.m. Some trains that normally depart New York/Hoboken/Newark between 11:30 p.m and 1:30 a.m. are cancelled and will be replaced with later trains. After 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule after. 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 (which will be available by December 21). 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, Tuesday, January 1, after 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule. Bus service will vary by route. 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. Bus service will vary by route. Customers are advised to visit njtransit.com for details.
First – add the damn spaces at the train station right away. What is the delay???
Next – cancel the garage. Repave that lot and re-stripe it, reduce the access~egress curb cuts to just one or two. This will add a ton of spaces.
Next – reduce the cost of commuter parking passes. It is ridiculously high now (but not as high as Voigt had suggested when he laughingly said it should be $1500 because the people in Ridgewood could afford it).
Next – put parking at the lot behind Ben and Jerry’s where that old garage was. Plenty of space there and only a two block walk to the train station.
Next – make the meters stop at 6 PM once again. 8 PM is way too late. Also, please have FREE parking on Saturdays throughout the year.
The cost of parking at the train station for residents is now 11.00 a day, 55 a week, 220 a month. That is not the cost of an annual parking pass just what you pay now as a resident. Almost double other towns. Also almost impossible for a resident to get a spot after 7am as out of town permits are also sold with no preference for residents. Traffic in the area is just awful getting in and out of the station with no easy pickup or discharge
Finally no overnight parking so god forbid you work at night or decide to stay in NYC for the night.
The change in Secaucus to get to midtown is ridiculous. RW has lost its role as a easy commuter station. Residents are neglected, trains are unreliable, the buses are problematic, parking is expensive, and village/school/ state taxes are a mess. Does anyone see this getting better or plans to address.
Where to go? Great question. But with kids out of schools, 35k in taxes, terrible and expense commute, 110k school budget with declining rankings and property values declining maybe the question is how soon to go ?
When many of my neighbors can appeal their taxes every year due to declining values is that a good indicator of our future values?
