Lackawanna Coalition

advocating for rail passengers since 1979

Tag: From the Railgram

  • Report from the Chair, Jan./Feb. 2022

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    Sally Jane Gellert

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    The Lackawanna Coalition and the N.J. Rail Passengers’ Association have both argued that the proposed “Customer Advocate” position in the NJ Transit reform bill is erroneously and misleadingly named, and our position has itself caused some confusion. Take a look at the dictionary definition of the word advocate (from dictionary.com) Advocate, noun: a person who…

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  • Accomplishments over the Past Year

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    Webweaver

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    testified (both David Peter Alan and Sally Jane Gellert) at Transit Equity Day, Feb. 4, hearings organized by the Labor Network for Sustainability, stressing the needs of the transit-dependent and the value of public transit for a healthy environment encouraged NJ Transit to open its larger stations as vaccination sites, which they did in August…

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  • A Tribute to Mr. G.

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    Sally Jane Gellert

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    We read in the Star-Ledger of the passing of Mr. Russell Graddy, “Mr. G.”, whom we had met in the course of his fight for justice from NJ Transit.  Over 2 or 3 years, he and his group of dedicated supporters showed up at each board meeting in “Justice for Mr. G.” T-shirts, speaking truth…

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  • Resolved: We Call for Permanent Federal Operating Support for Transit

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    Webweaver

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    At a meeting of the Lackawanna Coalition held at Millburn, New Jersey and by telephone conference on October 25, 2021, the following resolution was adopted: WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in travel patterns in the United States, including reduced commuting on New Jersey Transit (NJT) and similar railroads that formerly served…

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  • NJT Board Members: Wake Up!

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    Webweaver

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    Portal North Bridge Is Out of Money Already! Stop the presses, NJ Transit Board members, please wake up! The $1.56 billion Portal North Bridge construction contract you approved unanimously at a special meeting last Oct. 12 is a whopping $340 million (28%) over the $1.22 billion contract cost in the PNB Project capital budget! The…

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  • Resolved: 2 Statements from the Coalition

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    Webweaver

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    Our August meeting was productive; we had been talking about a few issues on which we were able to come to resolution, and we approved two statements: Regional Fare Cards: Not So Fast! We are concerned about recent suggestions to have NJ Transit accept regional fare cards, despite the convenience for most riders, as we…

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  • Report from the Chair: Sept./Oct. 2021

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    Sally Jane Gellert

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    On August 23rd we once again met in person at Millburn Town Hall, where we had an informative presentation from Josh Crandall of Clever Commute. Josh, who had given us a presentation a few years ago, reminded us of the project’s start when a group of 6 friend started sharing updates in 2006, just helping…

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  • Which Train Is This?

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    Sally Jane Gellert

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    For some time, Coalition Secretary Daniel Chazin has been reporting on confused passengers on the 12:45 Pascack Valley train to Spring Valley.  Because a 12:49 Bergen line train to Middletown is scheduled on Track H at 12:49, only 4 minutes later, the automatic announcement that a “train is expected in 8 minutes” can cause inexperienced…

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  • “Celebrating” the PANYNJ’s 100th Anniversary

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    Webweaver

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    OPINION The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) was formed by an act of Congress 100 years ago, on April 30, 1921, and has been celebrating its landmark anniversary. However, many local advocates for the region’s rail riders don’t see much reason to celebrate. Instead, we reflect on how the Port Authority…

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  • NJT Names New Executive Director

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    Donald Winship

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    Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim replaced James W. Weinstein as New Jersey Transit’s Executive Director on March 1. She was hired at a special meeting of the NJT Board on Feb. 24, although neither she nor Weinstein were present.  Commissioner James S. Simpson praised her, and advocates hoped for positive changes at NJT.  They included this writer,…

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