Lackawanna Coalition

advocating for rail passengers since 1979

  • 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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  • No Wheels Means No Trains

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    John Bobsin

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    Why do NJ Transit rail services remain substantially reduced nearly 4 months after Hurricane Sandy?  A shortage of wheels for rail rolling stock is a major factor, according to NJT Executive Director Jim Weinstein, reported by Mike Frassinelli in the Star-Ledger (Feb. 14).  According to operations manager Kevin O’Connor, “There’s only so many people producing…

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  • M-N Fare Increase Hits NJT Stations Too

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    John Bobsin

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    Metro-North Railroad has announced fare increases effective March 1 on all its lines, including the lines in New York State operated by NJ Transit.  However, it turns out, riders from some NJT stations in New Jersey on the Main-Bergen and Pascack Valley Lines will also suffer increases.  Why?  It turns out that when NJT had…

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  • M&E, Montclair Restored after Storm

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    John Bobsin

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     Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton lines are scheduled to restore service at noon, Saturday, Feb. 9; service had been suspended at 8 p.m. on Friday during  the snowstorm.  NJT attributed this action to the vulnerability of those lines to tree damage, citing the experience of Superstorm Sandy in October (which has resulted in continuing reduction…

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  • Grand Central Terminal Celebrates 100th Birthday!

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    Donald Winship

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    On Friday, February 1st, Grand Central Terminal (GCT) celebrated 100 years as a great place to arrive in Midtown Manhattan.  The current terminal replaced an earlier station on the same site, fronting on East 42d Street.  Today, it is the terminal for Metro-North trains from Westchester and Duchess Counties, and as far north as Poughkeepsie,…

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  • Commish: NJT Head Needs Help

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    John Bobsin

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    According to New Jersey State Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson, NJ Transit is probably the most complex transportation company in the country; “It’s more complex than United Airlines—it’s United Airlines on steel wheels and rubber tires”, according to reporting by Mike Frassinelli in the Star-Ledger  (Jan. 30).  Therefore, says Simpson, NJT Executive Director Jim Weinstein needs…

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  • Safer Yards for Next Storm?

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    John Bobsin

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    NJ Transit service as of mid-January continues to be limited since Superstorm Sandy on some lines, mainly those relying on electric service to Hoboken.  Why is the service limited?  NJT has not been particularly forthcoming on this point, but many observers point to limited availability of nonelectric rolling stock, perhaps limited by equipment damaged by…

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  • NJT Posts New Rail Schedules without Notice

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    Donald Winship

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    New Jersey Transit has just posted new schedules for all rail lines to their web site, as service takes another step toward returning to pre-Sandy levels.  The new weekday schedules take effect this Monday.  There are improvements on the Morris & Essex, Montclair-Boonton, and Gladstone lines, although there are still some serious gaps in service, and…

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  • Commuter Tax Benefit Restored

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    John Bobsin

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    According to various media sources, the “cliff deal” tax bill passed by Congress this week increases the tax benefit available to transit commuters to $240 per month, up from $125 per month in 2012.  A higher benefit has always been available for commuter parking, but in 2012 the previous parity between parking and transit was…

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