How would you feel if your usual means of commuting went on a summer vacation? Riding the ancient Danbury branch of Metro-North is hard enough, but now it’s going to be shut down for two weeks, the trains replaced by buses from Aug. 1 through 17. The 24-mile-long, mostly single-track railroad from South Norwalk to The Hat City carries about 2000 daily riders … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Improving Danbury Branch of Metro-North
Talking Transportation
Talking Transportation: Congress Giveth (Renewed Life to AM Radio), But Also Taketh Away (Cutting PBS, NPR)
Remember when commuting was fun because you could listen to the radio? Earlier in my career I may have been the guy you heard, both on WHCN / Hartford and later on NBC. When I started in radio in 1967, AM Top 40 was king and FM was just getting started. But in 1961 the FCC decreed that all radios should have both AM and FM bands … and that FM should broadcast in … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Congress Giveth (Renewed Life to AM Radio), But Also Taketh Away (Cutting PBS, NPR)
Talking Transportation: The Inevitable Fare Increase
Sorry. You’re too late. You missed your chance: the deadline has passed for offering “public comment” on the upcoming fare hikes on Metro-North. Not that anything you might have said would have made a difference to the inevitable: a 5% fare hike on September 1st of this year and another 5% jump in July of 2026. But don’t blame the railroad or CDOT. You should really … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Inevitable Fare Increase
Talking Transportation: Connecticut and Monorails—A One Track Mind
While taking a summertime break this week, here’s a column I wrote awhile back. What is this fascination that people have with monorails? I can’t tell you how often people suggest them as “the answer” to our state’s clogged roads. “Why don’t we build a monorail down the middle of The Merritt Parkway?,” asked an architect at a recent meeting. To … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Connecticut and Monorails—A One Track Mind
Talking Transportation: The Health Risks of Flying
Think air travel is just about delays and lost luggage? Your body has other plans. Forget plane crashes and fights about who gets the armrest. If you survive TSA, a middle seat, and boarding group 9, now you have to make it through the flight itself without your body unraveling like cheap luggage on a baggage carousel. Let’s start with Deep Vein … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Health Risks of Flying
Talking Transportation: There’s Still Some Unfinished Business
The end of June has a sense of finality. School wraps up, celebratory parties are held and everyone looks forward to the summer. But there’s a lot of unfinished business on the transportation front worth remembering. AMTRAK AVELIA: Whatever happened to Amtrak’s promise to have the new Acela trains in service “by the spring”? The initial contract for 28 train sets was signed … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: There’s Still Some Unfinished Business
Talking Transportation: Overnight Travel From Worst to First
There’s something very satisfying about the efficiency of overnight travel. In the best of conditions you make your journey and awake, refreshed, at your destination. But how well you sleep depends a lot on how you travel. Here’s my list of overnight travel options, from worst to first: DRIVING ALL NIGHT: In my carefree youth I once drove all night from … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Overnight Travel From Worst to First
Talking Transportation: Wires Down on Metro-North Cause Multiple Delays
We take our train service for granted. For the 80,000 daily Connecticut riders on Metro-North the service is dependable and on-time … usually. But not last Thursday evening (June 5), the hottest day of the year (so far), when the overhead catenary power lines were dragged down near Westport. No power means no trains. What caused the problem won’t be known for a while. Given … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Wires Down on Metro-North Cause Multiple Delays
Talking Transportation: Out-of-State License Plate Fraud is Top Form of Tax Evasion in CT
“This is the number one form of tax evasion in CT. Connecticut is losing millions annually and our DMV does not care.” So says Stonington Tax Assessor Jennifer Lineaweaver, President of the state association for her profession (the CCAO). She’s speaking of CT residents who register their cars in other states to avoid local property taxes. "CT is also losing money on … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Out-of-State License Plate Fraud is Top Form of Tax Evasion in CT
Talking Transportation: Transit-Oriented Recreation
The recent cool and weather aside, it’s officially summer! Time to get out and enjoy our state’s wonderful parks and beaches and take advantage of TOR. You know what TOD is, right? Transit Oriented Development … building homes and offices near mass transit facilities. Well, I’m going to suggest you think about TOR… Transit Oriented Recreation. Did you know … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Transit-Oriented Recreation
Talking Transportation: Some ‘Fun Facts’
Over the twenty years I’ve been writing this column, I’ve come across some “fun facts” about transportation. Try dazzling friends at your next BBQ with some of these gems. HIGHWAYS: Some 180,000 vehicles drive all or part of the 112 miles that I-95 runs through our state. But even factoring in true interstate drivers (think Florida to Maine), the average distance … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Some ‘Fun Facts’
Talking Transportation: On Air Pollution and Transportation
Our air stinks. In fact, Fairfield County ranks in the top 25 of most polluted areas in the US, mostly due to ozone levels. And while much of those noxious gases drift our way from New Jersey and New York City, a large part of our pollution is home-grown: it’s due to heavy volumes of traffic, especially diesel trucks, which emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: On Air Pollution and Transportation
Talking Transportation: Don’t Believe the Hype
Don’t believe everything you read or see in the media. Sage advice on any topic, but especially when it comes to coverage of transportation. A couple of recent stories illustrate my point. Improved Cell Service on Metro-North The Governor and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner held a media event recently in Stamford to promote the … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Don’t Believe the Hype
Talking Transportation: Enjoying the View
Commuting can be “Oh so boring”, especially if you’re driving. But when you’re on the train, you’ve got plenty of time to do work, read a book, take a nap or just look out the window. Enjoying the view from the train is one of the perks of being car-free, and some parts of the ride are especially beautiful. Traveling along the coast, especially east of New Haven (on Shore … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Enjoying the View
‘Talking Transportation’ is Back! Five Worst Ideas for Solving Traffic Congestion
Editor's Note: We are delighted to welcome transport guru Jim Cameron , pictured left, back to LymeLine. He was wrote for us regularly for almost 10 years starting in 2011 and his columns were always popular with our readers. He is the founder of the Commuter Action Group and advocates for Connecticut rail riders. He writes a weekly column called 'Talking Transportation,' which … [Read more...] about ‘Talking Transportation’ is Back! Five Worst Ideas for Solving Traffic Congestion