Lackawanna Coalition

advocating for rail passengers since 1979

  • MTA Rails Say Safety Deadline Tough

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    John Bobsin

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    Federal law requires commuter rail operators to implement an advanced safety technology, Positive Train Control (PTC), by 2015.  However, many operating agencies protest that the new technology is expensive, untested, and cannot easily be obtained.  The presidents of the two railroads operated by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro North Railroad (M-N) and Long Island…

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  • Amtrak’s Gateway Proposal Includes “Bergen Loop” to N.Y.C.

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    John Bobsin

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    This article was published in the Bergen Record. It is quoted here as a matter of interest, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Lackawanna Coalition. Bergen and Passaic county commuters could have a direct ride into New York if Amtrak’s proposed Gateway project is built, an official said Tuesday. Amtrak spokesman Cliff…

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  • LIRR Curbs Alcohol on Some Trains

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    John Bobsin

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    Having a nightcap on the way home has been a commuter tradition for many years.  Years ago, there were bar cars on some evening rush-hour trains and, in the New York area, Metro-North Railroad still has them on some New Haven Line trains.  Elsewhere, including on NJ Transit, weary homebound commuters buy drinks before boarding…

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  • Let’s Get Behind Amtrak Tunnels

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    John Bobsin

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    This editorial article was published in the Asbury Park Press. It is quoted here as a matter of interest, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Lackawanna Coalition. It’s all water under the bridge now, or more precisely, water over the tunnel. But the release on Tuesday of a federal Government Accountability Office…

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  • Report Disputes Christie’s Basis for Halting Tunnel

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    John Bobsin

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    This article was published in the New York Times. It is quoted here as a matter of interest, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Lackawanna Coalition. Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey exaggerated when he declared that unforeseen costs to the state were forcing him to cancel the new train tunnel planned…

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  • NJDOT Chief Wants to Work on Reliability

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    John Bobsin

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    This article was published in the Asbury Park Press. It is quoted here as a matter of interest, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Lackawanna Coalition. If it takes a village to raise a child, maybe it takes a transportation commissioner riding the trains to make them run on time? New Jersey…

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  • Record Transit Aid for NJ in Senate Transportation Bill‏

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    John Bobsin

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    This article was published in the Daily Record and summarized by one of our members. It is quoted here as a matter of interest, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Lackawanna Coalition. New Jersey would get $519 million for public transit, under the federal highway bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday.…

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  • Weekday Midday Busing Resumes on Gladstone Branch

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    John Bobsin

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    Continuing track maintenance on the Gladstone Branch this summer has required bus service replacing trains on weekdays between roughly 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; riders should note that inbound buses leave 15–30 minutes earlier than the trains they replace, leading to longer journey times, which are longest for the most outlying stations.  Outbound delays are…

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  • Rail Riders Score NJT Low

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    John Bobsin

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    In NJ Transit’s customer survey, released July 13, rail customers gave their service a barely acceptable score of 5.2, lower than scores recorded by bus (5.5), light rail (6.5) and disabled access (7.5) users.  NJT Executive Director Jim Weinstein had predicted the survey would “show our warts,” and it certainly did.  Rail riders gave the…

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  • Severe Service Disruptions Plague Northeast Corridor Line, Affecting M&E Line Riders

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    John Bobsin

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    Three severe service disruptions in as many days made commuting difficult for New Jersey rail riders on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, June 21st, 22nd, and 23d.  Although the difficulties originated on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor Line, some commuters and other riders on the Morris & Essex, Montclair-Boonton, and Gladstone Lines were affected.  These lines use NEC…

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