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: Unfinished Business Recalled
Jim Cameron
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’ 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