Lackawanna Coalition

advocating for rail passengers since 1979

Author: Donald Winship

  • NJT Proposes Privatized Station Parking

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    Donald Winship

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    New Jersey Transit is considering privatizing up to 60% of the parking facilities it now operates and has requested proposals from interested operators; 10 companies have responded, according to the Bergen Record (Nov. 18, by Larry Higgs).  The program, announced originally by NJT Executive Director James Weinstein in June, has the goal of increasing revenue to NJT;…

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  • Commuter Tax Benefit to Decrease Under Present Law

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    Donald Winship

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    According to a press release from TransitCenter, Inc. (a nonprofit provider of commuter benefit programs), a provision in the 2009 federal stimulus bill increased the maximum pretax deduction that workers could apply toward monthly transit commuting costs from $120 to $230.  This level is the same as that allowed for parking expenses for those who…

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  • New York Studies Extending No. 7 Subway to Secaucus

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    Donald Winship

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    According to the New York Times, since the demise of the ARC tunnel project, New York City Mayor Bloomberg’s administration has been studying extending the No. 7 subway line under the Hudson to connect with NJ Transit at Secaucus.  This would expand the regional transportation system and alleviate much of the overcrowding expected on NJT trains…

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  • ARC Decision Tied to Politics, Says Journalist

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    Donald Winship

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    Star-Ledger journalist Tom Moran, in an interview on the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC on November 15, said that politics factored in to Gov. Christie’s decision to cancel the ARC trans-Hudson tunnel. Moran noted that opposition to rail projects, including high-speed rail as well as commuter rail projects, are popular with conservatives, “who are in…

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  • Rider Advocates Push for Moynihan/Penn Station First

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    Donald Winship

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    The Regional Rail Working Group and its member organizations, the Lackawanna Coalition and the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers, continue to advocate for new tunnels to the existing Penn Station, with station enhancements under the Moynihan Station plan advanced by New York, with additional improvements for more capacity.  Representatives of the organizations made statements to…

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  • FTA Sends Bill to NJT

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    Donald Winship

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    The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has sent a bill to New Jersey Transit for $271 million for money advanced to the agency for work on the ARC Project, which Gov. Christie scrapped last month. NJT Executive Director James Weinstein disputed the bill and also said that there will not be a fare increase to raise…

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  • Amtrak Says Joint Tunnel with NJT is Dead

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    Donald Winship

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    Late Thursday, November 11, Amtrak officials said that any talks with NJ Transit on a joint new tunnel under the Hudson are dead, according to the Bergen Record, reported by Karen Rouse. “We are no longer interested in this project,” said Vernae Graham, spokeswoman for Amtrak. “There were exploratory talks going on with NJ Transit,”…

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  • Lackawanna Coalition Statement on ARC Cancellation

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    Donald Winship

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    Advocates for the Moynihan/Penn Station First alternative to the “deep-cavern” ARC project plan look forward to the opportunity to work with the Christie administration, NJ Transit, Amtrak, New York, and other regional players on development of an affordable, yet improved alternate plan for ARC, based on previous environmental and planning studies, that is advanced rapidly…

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  • Christie Cancels Tunnel

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    Donald Winship

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    WNYC reported at noon Wednesday that N.J. Gov. Christie has reaffirmed his decision to cancel the ARC tunnel. This follows a 2-week period in which the Christie administration was reconsidering its earlier decision to cancel the project. WNYC reporter Matthew Scheuermann said on the station’s 12:00 p.m. newscast that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had offered…

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  • Columnist Criticizes Lautenberg for Continuing to Defend Deep-Cavern Proposal

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    Donald Winship

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    Partisan politics appears to be heating up over the issue of the ARC Project with New Jersey Transit’s proposed deep-cavern terminal under 34th Street in Manhattan, which Gov. Christie has said will not be built. Asbury Park Press columnist Bob Ingle criticized Senator Frank Lautenberg for continuing to defend the proposal to build a deep-cavern…

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