You’ve seen the bumper stickers: “Slow down in town”. They’re an often futile attempt to encourage speeding motorists to be more respectful of the neighborhoods they are zooming through, especially of the pedestrians. I wouldn’t exactly call it road rage, but why is it that when we’re behind the wheel, our goal is to get on down the road as fast as traffic will allow, the … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: “Traffic Calming”
Talking Transportation
Talking Transportation: America’s Interstate Highways
The 47,000 miles of highways that comprise America’s interstate highway system are nothing short of an engineering marvel, surpassed only by what China has built in the last few years. We take them for granted, but when they were designed almost 60 years ago these super-highways presented both great opportunity and vast challenges. The US wasn’t the first with … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: America’s Interstate Highways
Talking Transportation: Things Are Getting Better on Metro-North
I know it may be hard to believe, but I think things are getting better on Metro-North. Last week I finally met Joseph Giulietti, the new President of Metro-North. I found him to be very smart, quite candid and equipped with a reasonable plan to bring this railroad back to its once-deserved world-class status. On May 11th a new timetable will become effective, aimed at … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Things Are Getting Better on Metro-North
Talking Transportation: A Report Card for Metro-North
If Metro-North were a student and commuters its teacher, the railroad’s winter report card would be a D+ and the comment would be “needs to improve”. As new Metro-North President Joseph Giulietti finishes his second month on the job, he’s making the rounds to meet and listen to commuters. But his 100-Day Plan for bringing the railroad back won’t conclude until mid-June, so … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: A Report Card for Metro-North
Eight Little Known Facts About Flying
We may never know what happened to that Malaysia Airlines 777, but there’s plenty more we should know about flying, even domestically. Here are some little-known truths of aviation as shared by pilots and flight attendants: Lavatory Doors Don’t Really Lock: They can be opened from the outside by just sliding the “occupied” sign to one side. This isn’t so attendants can … [Read more...] about Eight Little Known Facts About Flying
Talking Transportation: The Feds ‘Deep Dive’ Into Metro-North
It was worse than we'd ever known. Metro-North was almost an accident waiting to happen. That summarizes the Federal Railway Administration's “Operation Deep Dive” report issued last week, following 60 days of probing into every aspect of the railroad's operations. All of this comes on the heels of collisions and derailments in the past year that have taken the lives of … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Feds ‘Deep Dive’ Into Metro-North
Talking Transportation: The Commuter Manifesto
“Quit your moaning!” “You’re not a railroad person, what do you know?” “You don’t like the train, try driving.” These are the reactions I get, especially from railroad employees, when I have been critical of Metro-North in the last few calamitous months. They think I’m a “moaner”, though I try just as hard to be positive about the railroad as to criticize its … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Commuter Manifesto
Talking Transportation: The Commuter Action Group
Now is the winter of our discontent. I’ve been riding Metro-North for almost 25 years and I’ve never seen the railroad in such bad shape. Trains are consistently late without explanation. Some cars have no heat. A couple of trains were stranded for more than two hours when wires were pulled down. And on one recent evening, the entire railroad ground to a halt because … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Commuter Action Group
Talking Transportation: The George Washington Bridge
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
Talking Transportation: Top Ten Things I Like About Metro-North
Despite what you may think, I don’t hate Metro-North. Sure, I am outspoken about its many failings, but always with a goal of making it better. So, to prove I’m really a fan of the railroad, I’m kicking off the year with my “Top Ten Things I like about Metro-North”: 10) New Stations: Reflecting expanded demand for rail commutation, CDOT added new stations (and parking) … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Top Ten Things I Like About Metro-North
Talking Transportation: Down, But Not Out: Cameron Resigns — But Doesn’t Quit
After 19 years, I have resigned from the CT Commuter Rail Council. But I can promise you I am not quitting my advocacy for my fellow commuters or the writing of this column. And I have an even better idea of how commuters can be heard. The old Commuter Council accomplished many things since its founding in 1985, including the ordering of the new M8 cars. The Council also … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Down, But Not Out: Cameron Resigns — But Doesn’t Quit
Talking Transportation: Slow Orders for Metro-North
No, it’s not your imagination. Service is getting even worse on Metro-North. And there’s no sign of short-term improvements. This has been a terrible year for Metro-North and its 120,000 daily riders in Connecticut: the May derailment / collision, the death of a track worker and the September “meltdown” because of a failed Con Ed feeder. But the repercussions of these … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Slow Orders for Metro-North
Talking Transportation: Metro-North Meltdown
First of all, despite what some commuters may recently be thinking, the folks who manage and operate Metro-North are not stupid. Inconsiderate and uncommunicative sometimes, but not stupid. Metro-North managers and employees are railroad professionals, justifiably proud of the 96+% on-time performance they achieve on one of the busiest commuter line in the US. They want to … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Metro-North Meltdown
Talking Transportation: Progress is Painful
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
Talking Transportation: Saving Money on Metro-North
Whether you’re a daily commuter, an occasional day-tripper or have friends visiting from out of town this summer, everyone can save money when you go into NYC on Metro-North by following this time-tested advice: TRANSITCHEK: See if your employer subscribes to this great service, which allows workers to buy up to $245 per month in transit using pre-tax dollars. If you’re in … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Saving Money on Metro-North