Apologies for a naive question, but does that mean I could take the NJT train from New York Penn Station to Newark/Trenton for free?
Yes, during that week, you can.
I highly suggest printing out or screenshotting the press release, as onboard personnel will likely be unaware of the fare-free week.
The press release is here:
https://www.njtransit.com/press-releases/governor-murphy-announces-fare-holiday-nj-transit
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I can’t imagine on board ticket agents not being briefed on this. This is a big deal.
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https://www.njtransit.com/fare-holiday
New details dropped. You just board the train, bus or light rail. No tickets required.
No free EWR AirTrain.
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I’ve always preferred the idea of through-running, but I never realized it would require widening the platforms and basically take 12 years of constant construction. I mean, I still think it’s a good idea, but that would definitely be disruptive to say the least.
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Any project that would bring any meaningful improvement to Penn Station is going to be very disruptive for quite a long time.
"Still, Foster Nichols, a senior vice president at WSP, the consulting firm that helped draft the new report, said through-running could still be possible down the road.
“That has been a commitment of the three railroads to not to do anything at Penn Station that would preclude that from happening in the future,” he said."
At least they’re thinking ahead
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Getting NJT and MTA to agree to split share tickets is the real issue.
The real issue is widening and reducing the number of platforms. Keep in mind when Madison Square Garden was built Penn Station was able to operate business as usual, since nothing was changing at platform level.
The other big issue is between LIRR (third rail) and NJT (overhead catenary) you’ll need lots of new equipment that can run across both railroads.
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NJT if anything can just run their ALP45DP’s in diesel mode on the LIRR. That eliminates the need for special rolling stock on NJT’s end although caternary would need to likely be extended to whatever a new terminus would be as there are the ALP46 and Arrow III’s which are not dual-mode. As for the LIRR, they either need to get M8’s which can use both 3rd rail and overhead catenary or they’ll have to expand the 3rd rail to Secaucus Junction since there’s already a short amount of 3rd rail in place on the entrance to the tunnels to permit Amtrak’s P32AC-DM’s to enter Penn Station.
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They are leaning on building more tracks and not through running.
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Is there room for that?
The article you linked to seemed to suggest that the preference is to expand Pennsylvania Station’s footprint in a horizontal (i.e., adding tracks that are parallel to the existing platforms, either to the north or to the south of the current Penn Station) rather than a vertical fashion (i.e., adding tracks underneath the current Penn Station to create a multi-level station like Grand Central).
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The platforms are the root problem
The boarding platforms are too narrow to safely handle large crowds getting on and off trains. Everyone has to be off the train and off the platform before boarding passengers can be let down to the platform.
As a result, trains spend too long ‘dwelling’ at the station. Fixing the platforms would reduce dwell times and allow more trains to be served.
But, there are hundreds and hundreds of columns supporting buildings, streets, and even a subway line.
The study looked at two alternatives for rebuilding the platforms. It argues that the cost of rebuilding the station and the disruption to daily operations wouldn’t yield enough benefit.
A new lower level is also considered
Fire safety is a real issue
Getting to and from the tracks from the street, especially in a fire, makes these options undesirable.
New report says alternatives won’t work.
Therefore the railroads want to build Penn Station South
Amtrak, the MTA, and NJ Transit want to solve the problem by adding a 12-track, two-level addition next to the existing station. This would require clearing three city blocks. The proposal is currently undergoing environmental review.
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Thanks for sharing that @pSL1988
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Fake news?
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I think what he means is…a McDonalds in every station.
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Huge if true, but most likely just another of his lies
Maybe if were lucky he’ll build us some vanity transit projects
This could be huge if he delivers, especially given his stance on transit. But knowing he’s built on empty promises we must wait and see.
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Eternal Infastructure Week
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