We thought about crafting a fake April Fools’ Day story, but it turns out that A) we’re not that clever, B) others have already posted some really funny April Fools‘ transportation pieces and C) sometimes reality is even more surprising. Here are a few bits of real transportation news from the region that seem too unbelievable to be true:
NICE bus adds service
The Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus system actually added service to its 10 busiest routes, and it’s reported that the system will continue to improve service later this year. In June, NICE will reinstate the N87 bus route between Hicksville and Jones Beach, and more upgrades are expected to be made in September. These additional service hours across the NICE system are being funded with a combination of new state aid and fare revenue.
MTA builds wall to protect tracks
The MTA is building a thick marine steel wall designed to keep seawater from reaching the tracks that bring the A train to the Rockaways. The wall is being driven 30 feet into the ground to withstand the pressure of potential future storm surges. This is the authority’s first major project since Sandy to prevent flooding from destroying transit infrastructure in the future.
Two weeks into spring, Governor Cuomo postpones budget signings due to wintry weather
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was supposed to hold ceremonial state budget signings in Buffalo and Rochester today, but the threat of snow has caused the events to be postponed.
Curb-jumping driver unlikely to face charges
Law-enforcement officials say the driver of a Lincoln that ran a red light, jumped a curb, crashed into a bus stop and injured nine pedestrians — including a toddler who remains in a coma — in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush neighborhood Saturday won’t face charges.
This one is so poorly written, one would hope it is a 4/1 prank. But to be sure, I checked with NJT and they said there is no change in status of the proposed MOM line since 2009.
http://ocean.happeningmag.com/monmouthoceanmiddlesex-line-finally-built
I believe that the DA who chose not to press charges and the police officers who chose not to file charges against the obviously guilty criminal who injured nine people —
— I believe that that DA and those police officers are guilty of state and federal crimes for depriving the public of honest services. Who’s ready to prosecute? All you need is one grand jury.
How about real mass transit for Staten Island – that would be really amazing – The North Shore Rail Line, Light Rail or Real BRT in the community with the worst commute in the Nation.