I love the fall. But I hate the leaves! Sure, they look pretty as they change colors, but when those leaves are spent and fall to the ground, they present real problems for travelers. Whether you rake your leaves yourself or have someone “blow” them for you, disposing of leaves is a hassle. Growing up (many years ago) I remember we used to burn our leaves, heedless to … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Dangers of the Fall
transportation
Talking Transportation: The Folly of a Bridge to New York
Why is much of Connecticut talking about a bridge from Bridgeport, across Long Island Sound, to New York State? How did we get sucked into a debate about a project that every transportation expert I spoke with said just won’t happen? You can blame (or maybe credit?) Connecticut housing developer Stephen Shapiro for this distraction as he pipe-dreams way outside his area of … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Folly of a Bridge to New York
Talking Transportation: Jim Cameron Finally Boards the NextGen Acela
I finally had a chance to ride the new NextGen Acela and I have to admit, I was wrong: This really is Amtrak’s train of the future. But here are a few tips for making your next ride frictionless. These tips are mostly about riding Acela, but many hold true for slower Northeast Corridor trains. WHAT’S A NEXTGEN ACELA? These are the new trains built by Alstom, previously … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Jim Cameron Finally Boards the NextGen Acela
Talking Transportation: Travel Now, Talk or Text Later
How many of you remember “Car Talk”, the wildly popular NPR show with Tom and Ray Magliozzi, also known as "Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers"? Not only were they brothers, but both graduated from MIT. They were walking encyclopedias of automotive wisdom. And common sense. To them, car safety meant more than just mechanics. It meant drivers should be smart about their … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Travel Now, Talk or Text Later
Talking Transportation: Experiencing Woodstock While Working on the Tappan Zee
Continuing our summer reprise of some older columns, here’s an update on memories of years past … This week marks the 56th anniversary of the grand-daddy of all rock festivals … Woodstock. I was in my teens the summer of 1969, but couldn’t get off from my job to join the swarms of rock fans. But I did see most of them. That summer I was as a “temp seasonal” toll collector … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Experiencing Woodstock While Working on the Tappan Zee
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
TOP STORY: River Valley Transit Offers New $5 Taxi Fares for Older Adults, People with Disabilities; Now Available in Lyme, Old Lyme
MIDDLETOWN–River Valley Transit is partnering with the state’s largest taxi company to offer $5 rides for older adults and people with disabilities in towns including Lyme and Old Lyme. The transit company in a press release recently announced the launch of Encompass, a new program designed to make it easier to travel within select towns in the Middlesex County … [Read more...] about TOP STORY: River Valley Transit Offers New $5 Taxi Fares for Older Adults, People with Disabilities; Now Available in Lyme, Old Lyme