Lackawanna Coalition

advocating for rail passengers since 1979

Author: Donald Winship

  • Lackawanna Coalition Calls on NJT to Pass Benefits of Budget Increase on to Riders

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    Donald Winship

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    Gov. Clhris Christie has proposed an increase ofr $43.2 million in New Jersey Transit’s operating budget for the next fiscal year, beginning July 1st.  The Lackawanna Coallition has called for that money to be returned to riders.  The Coalition called for restoration of off-peak rail fares, which were eliminated last year, and for restoration of…

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  • Most NJT Fares Still Highest, Even After Fare Increase in New York

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    Donald Winship

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    Despite fare increases by New York’s Metropolitan Transportaiton Authority (the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North, and local transit in New York City) that went into effect at the end of 2010, most New Jersey riders still pay more for a train ride than their counterparts elsewhere. A study by Lackawanna Coalition member John Bobsin indicates…

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  • NJT Operating Budget to Increase

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    Donald Winship

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    In a time of general belt-tightening, New Jersey Transit’s operating budget will increase.  The State’s budget for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1st, includes an increase of $43.2 million in operating funds for New Jersey Transit. The operating side of the transit budget was cut last year, resulting in rail fare increases…

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  • Coalition Officers to Speak at New England Rail Conference

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    Donald Winship

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    Three officers of the Lackawanna Coalition will speak at the We CAN Connect New England by Rail conference to be held at the New Haven Free Public Library on Friday, April 29th.  The theme of the conference will Connecting New England by Rail, and it is sponsored by the Rail Users’ Network (RUN), the Connecticut Sierra…

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  • Winter Aggravates Train Delays

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    Donald Winship

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    January 2011 was NJ Transit’s worst month for train delays in 6 years, since January 2005, according to Mike Frassinelli, writing in the Star-Ledger (February 11).  The railroad classifies trains as “late” if they arrive 6 minutes or more after their schedule.  This January, trains were “late” 8.8% of the time; in January 2010, trains…

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  • Lackawanna Coalition Gives Mixed Review to Amtrak “Gateway” Plan

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    Donald Winship

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    The Amtrak plan would build new rail tunnels into the existing Penn Station, with new tracks to be built between 30th and 31st Streets, south of the existing station.  The station itself would be extended southward to accommodate new platforms, which would terminate just east of Seventh Avenue.  Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River would…

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  • NJ Senators Back “Gateway” Tunnel

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    Donald Winship

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    US Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both New Jersey Democrats, said in a press release on Sunday, February 6, that they now back a design for the trans-Hudson rail tunnel that would follow the now-cancelled tunnel that would have ended in a “deep cavern” station under 34th Street in Manhattan.  However, as long proposed…

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  • LIRR Plans Penn Station Concourse Modernization

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    Donald Winship

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    Now that NJT’s new trans-Hudson tunnel is dead, the Long Island Rail Road is planning to upgrade and modernize its passenger facilities in Penn Station.  The LIRR had put plans on hold, expecting disruptions from NJT’s tunnel construction.  According to Andrew Grossman, writing in the Wall Street Journal (Dec. 22), “Penn Station’s warren of underground…

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  • New Jersey Transit to Rehabilitate Electric Rail Cars

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    Donald Winship

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    NJT will rehabilitate 170 “Arrow III” electric cars.  The project wil cost $15.6 million, or between $91,000 and $92,000 per car.  The cars were built in the 1970s are used on most Gladstone trains, as well as Dover and Montclair trains that originate or terminate at Hoboken. The Lackawanna Coalition endorsed the move, noting that the…

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  • Coalition Objects to Potentially High Legal Bill for NJT

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    Donald Winship

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    The NJT Board of Directors has approved the hiring of the Washington lobbying and law firm of Patton Boggs, LLC, to defend the agency against a claim by the Federal Transit Administration for $271 million.  The FTA wants NJT to reimburse that sum because of the cancellation of the ARC Project in October.  Patton Boggs charges…

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