Month: July 2024


  • Lackawanna Coalition Station Inspections Return

    Back in the 20th century—sounds so long ago!—well before I joined the Coalition, members used to visit NJ Transit rail stations regularly, clipboard in hand, and evaluate conditions. These were then summarized and notable situations reported to the agency. As membership changed, and so much went digital, the practice was abandoned. Within the last year…

    Read more


  • A Halt to Congestion Pricing: What Next?

    We have discussed the proposed plan for congestion pricing in New York City’s downtown area, and have seen pros and cons. In some ways, it is tangential to our interests, as it is unclear how much money the State of New Jersey would get for “mitigation measures” and what those measures would entail. We would…

    Read more


  • Report from the Chair: July/August 2024

    As this issue of the Railgram goes to press, a budget deal is in place to keep the government running. It includes the controversial—at least among businesses, though most will not be affected—corporate transit fee (an extension of the corporate business tax that ended in December 2023), though NJ Transit, the intended beneficiary, will not…

    Read more


  • RUN Conference: Optimism & Reality—“What is the Hold Up‽”

    The Rail Users’ Network held their spring conference virtually on the afternoon of Friday, May 17. The conference’s focus was expanding long distance rail service: “Why Amtrak service to more towns and cities is important to the entire U.S.!” The agenda of conference speakers included advocates from around the nation who are pushing for expansion…

    Read more


  • NJ Transit Gets a Four-Year Reprieve, Starting a Year from Now

    Transit agencies throughout the nation are working hard to make it through the next few years. The reason is that the COVID-19 relief money, enacted as a one-shot measure to keep transit going during the worst of the pandemic, will soon run out. That could happen to NJ Transit as soon as next year, when…

    Read more


  • Need an Alternative to the NJCL?

    Here’s a list of alternatives by town for those who need it: Avenel – #115 to PABT…for Newark, take it to Jersey Gardens for the #24 or #40 (you have to walk through the mall to get to the local bus stop) Woodbridge – #116 to PABT or #803 to Metropark/#48 to Rahway for the…

    Read more