Almost 110 years after it first opened, Grand Central Terminal is getting a new addition: Grand Central Madison. Continue Reading →
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: The New Grand Central
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Opinion
Recent Posts
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: Ready for Winter?
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Are you ready for winter? Got your supply of salt and sand, the old snow shovel dusted off, the snow blower gassed up and ready for fun? Well, the CDOT, our bus companies and commuter railroads are getting ready too. But there are challenges ahead. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Opinion, Jim Cameron, Talking Transportation
Witherell Director Mastronardi: Setting the Record Straight – Why The Nathaniel Witherell Should remain Town-Owned and -Operated
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“The elderly and infirm are our most vulnerable citizens. That we can ‘do unto others’ is something Greenwich should continue and be proud of. In fact, we should be a model for other communities. Being public also brings accountability and transparency; private ownership does not.” – John Mastronardi Continue Reading →
Filed under: Opinion, John Mastronardi, The Nathaniel Witherell
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: Free Bus Rides to Continue Through March, But Expect Rail Fares to Continue to Rise
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“Even pre-COVID when rush-hour trains were packed, every ride was subsidized — $3.25 on the main line and as much as $50 per passenger per ride on Shore Line East. With ridership down 30%, do the math and you’ll see that the subsidies are unsustainable.” – Jim Cameron Continue Reading →
Filed under: News, Opinion
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: Connecticut DOT is Getting a New Commissioner
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) is getting a new Commissioner. After four years on the job, Joe Giulietti is retiring. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Opinion, Garrett Eucalitto, Jim Cameron, Joe Giulietti, Ned Lamont
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: Amtrak Struggles
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“Staff shortages for on-board personnel mean that Café Cars may not be in service or sleeping cars can’t be used, despite demand. That means fares will remain high. Like Uber, Amtrak operates on a “surge pricing” model: the higher the demand, the higher the fares. At last check, one-way from NY to Boston on the days before and after Thanksgiving was $309… in coach!” – Jim Cameron Continue Reading →
Filed under: Opinion, Amtrak, Jim Cameron, Talking Transportation
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: What’s the Fix for the Walk Bridge in Norwalk?
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By Jim Cameron
Imagine having to replace the George Washington Bridge, in-place, while still handling thousands of cars and trucks each day. The railroad equivalent of that is still underway in South Norwalk, replacing what’s known as the Walk Bridge, a vital rail link in the Northeast Corridor for Metro-North, Amtrak and the occasional freight train. We all remember the woes of this 125-year-old swing bridge that sometimes refuses to close, stranding thousands of riders. The 2017 plan to replace it includes $161 million in Federal Sandy relief money. But the total cost has ballooned from $600 million to over $1 billion (thanks to added rail yards and such) and again seems to be climbing…and the old bridge is still there. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Opinion
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: Transportation Tibits
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JIM CAMERON has lived in Darien for over 25 years. He serves on the Darien RTM and is Program Director of Darien TV79. He served 19 years on the CT Metro-North Rail Commuter Council, four as its Chairman. In 2014 he founded a new advocacy group, The Commuter Action Group which speaks on behalf of Metro-North riders. His newspaper column “Talking Transportation” archives can be found at http://talkingtransportation.blogspot.com/ Continue Reading →
Filed under: Opinion
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: What Metro-North Still Gets Wrong
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“The pandemic was the excuse the railroad used for halting the Quiet Cars, but that’s passed, right? Bring back the Quiet Cars and enforce the rules.” – Jim Cameron Continue Reading →
Filed under: Opinion
TALKING TRANSPORTATION: What Metro-North Does Right
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The railroad’s TrainTime app is a game changer. You can not only check the timetable, and buy a ticket but also see how crowded your arriving train will be (so you can find a seat). The app gets downloaded 6000 times a day and is used by 90% of all passengers. And to their credit, it was designed in-house by the MTA’s IT team. Continue Reading →