Jim Cameron

We’ve read a lot about the George Washington Bridge (GWB) in recent weeks.  And the scandal over who ordered closure of approach lanes from Fort Lee, N.J., only underscores how crucial this bridge is to the entire region.  All of which got me thinking about the GWB and its history. Surprisingly, the GWB was not the first bridge design to cross the Hudson River.  As early as … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The George Washington Bridge

I am nothing if not an optimist.  After toiling as a rail advocate for almost two decades, nothing surprises me or dissuades me.  A few examples… This week Metro-North announced a new timetable, one so hastily launched that they won’t even have paper copies available ‘til after Labor Day.  Why the hurry?  Because this summer has been horrendous for on-time service … but with … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Progress is Painful

Shortly after he came to office, I wrote something critical of newly elected Governor Malloy.  Nothing new there.  I’d certainly questioned Republican governors in years past, usually to little response.  But this time the reaction was different. A Malloy confidante, a senior State Senator from Fairfield County, took me aside and threatened me.  Not physically, but … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Malloy Seeks To Kill the Commuter Council

If you had a contract with someone and paid them in advance to do a job, only to find they never provided that service, you should get your money back, right?  Otherwise, by keeping the money and not delivering on the bargain, that person would be committing fraud. Well, that’s exactly what Metro-North does to weekly and monthly ticket holders when it sells those tickets, … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Great Train (Ticket) Robbery

Any regular reader of this column knows that I hate to fly.  I’ll enjoy an overnight Amtrak sleeper ride to Chicago over a 3-hour flight, anyday (or night). But when I do have to fly, I really like seeing grey hair in the cockpit.  The older and more experienced the pilots, the better (despite this crazy FAA rule that pilots must retire at age 65, regardless of their … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Flight Attendants

Like it or not, get ready to pay tolls on our Interstates and Parkways. Transportation officials in Hartford say there’s just no other way to raise badly needed money for over-due infrastructure repairs.  Tolls may not be popular, but neither are collapsing bridges. In the last decade’s debate on highway tolling, here are the five biggest lies that opponents have used to … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Five Biggest Lies About Highway Tolls

The Malloy ‘Tax’ On Commuters If a mugger came up to you on the street and said “I’m going to poke your eyes out!”, but then he only kicked you in the groin, would you think better of him? That’s what Metro-North commuters are asking themselves now that CDOT has decided on 15.25% fare hike spread over the next three years instead of the 16.4% hike first proposed.  Are we … [Read more...] about Metro North’s Huge Price Increase Stems from Malloy

Whether you’re a daily commuter, an occasional day-tripper or have friends visiting this summer, everyone can save money when you go into NYC by following this time-tested advice: TRANSITCHEK:  For commuters, see if your employer subscribes to this fabulous service, which allows workers to buy up to $230 per month in mass transit using pre-tax dollars.  If you’re in the … [Read more...] about Saving Money Going to NYC

The CT Rail Commuter Council’s “Winter Crisis – Commuter Summit” last week was a big success.  Dozens of commuters turned out to share their horror stories about trying to ride Metro-North this winter… no heat, no information, no seats and in many cases, no trains! Metro-North and the CT Dept of Transportation made the usual excuses and apologies, which placated few… “we’re … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation