Lackawanna Coalition

advocating for rail passengers since 1979

Author: John Bobsin

  • NJT Restroom Stinks, Riders Say

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    John Bobsin

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    One problem faced by NJT rail riders is finding clean restrooms before, during, and after their journeys.  Few stations have toilet facilities at all, outside of major terminals; those that do are often closed outside of commuting hours; and toilets on-board trains are legendary places to be avoided if at all possible.  Even some major…

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  • Bill Would Cut Bergen Fares

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    John Bobsin

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    A proposed law to reduce NJ Transit fares for some Bergen County riders was released on June 10 by the State Assembly Transportation Committee.  The bill would rescind a fare increase, effective March 1, that affected certain stations on the Main, Bergen, and Pascack Valley Lines.  NJ Transit said that fare increases on those lines were…

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  • Peak Miles: Young Americans Drive Less

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    John Bobsin

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    While energy experts worry that world production of oil has already peaked—”peak oil”—a different phenomenon may eventually require less oil in the U.S.: younger Americans are driving less, according to reporting by John Schwartz in The New York Times (May 14).  The main source is a report by the U.S. advocacy group U.S. PIRG; author…

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  • Media Questions NJT Sandy Response Anew

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    John Bobsin

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    A month-long investigation by New York public radio station WNYC, New Jersey Public Radio, and The (Bergen) Record newspaper has resulted in extensive reporting questioning NJ Transit’s response to Hurricane Sandy, which struck the region on October 29, 2012.  The report contrasts the extensive damage suffered by NJT in comparison with the generally minor damage…

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  • NJT Plans Track Improvements at Summit

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    John Bobsin

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    On NJ Transit’s Morris & Essex lines, the busiest stations are Newark Broad Street and Summit; both have 3 station tracks and 2 platforms, and when several trains arrive at once, a traffic jam can ensue, particularly if 1 or more trains are running behind schedule.  Summit can be particularly bothersome, as some trains “turn…

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  • Subway to Secaucus Engineering Report Issued

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    John Bobsin

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    Plans to extend the New York City Transit No. 7 subway line, which runs between Flushing and Times Square in Manhattan, onward to NJ Transit’s Secaucus Junction transfer station have surfaced again.  The idea was first proposed more than 2 years ago by Mayor Bloomberg’s administration; then-chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Joseph Lhota dismissed…

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  • Super Bowl Prompts Secaucus Upgrades

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    John Bobsin

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    Since service to the Meadowlands Sports Complex begain in 2009, business has been booming.  This is according to NJ Transit, which operates rail service from Hoboken via Secaucus to the Meadowlands station, but only when major sports or other events are happening.  Enter the Super Bowl, scheduled for the Meadowlands in February 2014.  How many…

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  • LATEST: Near-Full Service March 24

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    John Bobsin

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    New timetables effective March 24 for all NJ Transit heavy-rail services restored most service that was still reduced after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.  Some trains are still missing, notably 3 daily round trips between Bay Head and Hoboken on the North Jersey Coast Line and some runs to Waldwick on the Main/Bergen lines.  On the…

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  • MTA Fares Increase March1 and March 3

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    John Bobsin

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    Fare increases on MTA rail lines (Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad) are effective March 1, and average 8-9%.  NYC Transit (subway and bus) fares increase effective March 3; the base fare increases from $2.25 to $2.50. Finally implementing a long-announced change, New York City Transit has announced that MetroCards bought within the subway…

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  • Bye-Bye to Dollar Coins

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    John Bobsin

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    In the ticket vending machines used by NJ Transit, as in those used in most transit systems, if you buy a $1 ticket with a $20 bill, you’ll be greeted by a cascade of 19 one-dollar coins: your change.  No matter that the coins are not in general circulation and bring frowns at the counter…

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