Lackawanna Coalition

advocating for rail passengers since 1979

  • NJ Transit Takes a “Fare Holiday”

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    David Peter Alan

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    NJ Transit gave a late-summer present to its riders: 8 days of service without charging fares. The “fare holiday” ran from Monday, August 26, through the following Monday, which was Labor Day. Commuters who had already paid fortheir August monthly pass got a 25% discount for September. Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the week of free…

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  • Resolution: Give Us Information!

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    Sally Jane Gellert

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    At the Coalition’s last meeting, we passed a resolution expressing our long-term frustration with the opacity of NJ Transit on just about any subject. The specific concerns this time (among many) are the 50% cut to peak-period River Line service and the ongoing issue of translucent or opaque windows on many rail cars, especially multilevel…

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  • RUN’s Fall Conference Highlights Advocacy for Regional Corridors Around the Nation

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    David Peter Alan

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    The Rail Users’ Network (RUN) will focus on advocating for corridor-length passenger train routes that could be established under the Corridor ID Program sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The online conference will take place on Friday afternoon, November 15, from 12:00 until 5:00. The event’s theme will be F.R.A. Corridor Grants – Boosting…

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    Webweaver

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    Avenel Woodbridge Perth Amboy South Amboy Aberdeen-Matawan Hazlet Middletown Red Bank Long Branch Elberon/Allenhurst Asbury Park Belmar/Spring Lake/Manasquan/Point Pleasant For intermediate riders, keep in mind that the North Jersey Coast Line can be “replicated” by taking the following chain of buses from Newark: #24/59/62 to Elizabeth – #48 to Perth Amboy – #817 to Campbells…

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  • Riders’ Comments

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    Webweaver

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    Whether you commute to work on transit, or use it for other trips; whether you are travel exclusively by transit or are a part-time motorist, we want to hear from you! Please submit your comments here. We will review them at our next meeting and periodically compile comments to bring to NJ Transit’s board. If…

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  • Need an Alternative to the RVRL?

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    George Kaufer

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    Here’s a list of alternatives by town for those who need it: Union: Roselle Park Cranford/Garwood/Westfield Fanwood Netherwood Plainfield Dunellen Bound Brook/Bridgewater Somerville Raritan North Branch Annandale/Lebanon/Whitehouse High Bridge

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  • Lackawanna Coalition Station Inspections Return

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    Sally Jane Gellert

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    Back in the 20th century—sounds so long ago!—well before I joined the Coalition, members used to visit NJ Transit rail stations regularly, clipboard in hand, and evaluate conditions. These were then summarized and notable situations reported to the agency. As membership changed, and so much went digital, the practice was abandoned. Within the last year…

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  • A Halt to Congestion Pricing: What Next?

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    George Kaufer

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    We have discussed the proposed plan for congestion pricing in New York City’s downtown area, and have seen pros and cons. In some ways, it is tangential to our interests, as it is unclear how much money the State of New Jersey would get for “mitigation measures” and what those measures would entail. We would…

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  • Report from the Chair: July/August 2024

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    Sally Jane Gellert

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    As this issue of the Railgram goes to press, a budget deal is in place to keep the government running. It includes the controversial—at least among businesses, though most will not be affected—corporate transit fee (an extension of the corporate business tax that ended in December 2023), though NJ Transit, the intended beneficiary, will not…

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  • RUN Conference: Optimism & Reality—“What is the Hold Up‽”

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    Webweaver

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    The Rail Users’ Network held their spring conference virtually on the afternoon of Friday, May 17. The conference’s focus was expanding long distance rail service: “Why Amtrak service to more towns and cities is important to the entire U.S.!” The agenda of conference speakers included advocates from around the nation who are pushing for expansion…

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