A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Transportation Commissioner James Redeker — Governor Malloy and Commissioner Redeker announced that all CT Rail trains are now equipped with bike racks.
New York City Councilmembers Antonio Reynoso, Brad Lander, Donovan Richards, Stephen Levin, Margaret Chin and Carlos Menchaca — These six City Councilmembers endorsed the Department of Sanitation’s plan to reform its commercial waste system, which will reduce truck traffic by up to 68 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by upwards of 64 percent.
New Jersey Transit Bus riders — Riders on 12 routes will experience less crowding and fewer evening rush hour delays thanks to permanent gate changes at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Albany bicyclists — The Madison Avenue bike lane is striped and ready to ride.
Transport for London — The agency recently implemented 24-hour service on weekends for two Underground lines and plans to expand Night Tube service to three more lines this fall.
LOSERS
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto — Almost eight weeks into the Garden State’s transportation funding shutdown, and lawmakers have yet to present a viable solution.
New York Assemblymember Mike Miller — Assemblymember Miller said the city “discriminated against” Woodhaven with its Select Bus Service plan.
Northeast Corridor commuters — New Jersey Transit riders on the system’s most-used branch have endured the worst on-time performance of any line for the past five years.
Q44 riders — Fare payment machines at the Archer Avenue-153rd Street SBS station have been out of service since mid-June.
LaGuardia Airport passengers — Standstill traffic surrounding the airport yesterday convinced some passengers to ditch their cabs and head to the terminal on foot.
Americans — Traffic fatalities in the U.S. rose 9 percent during the first half of 2016 compared to 2015, claiming an estimated 19,100 lives. If the second half of 2016 is equally as dead, this year will be the deadliest since 2007.
You laud CT Rail for bike racks but don’t mention the over crowded trains, often late and with poor communication to riders. You blast NJ for its funding problems but ignore CTs emergency fare increase of 5% (on top of the planned 1% increase in january) to fill their budget gap. Why are you playing favorites?
How mamy seats were removed to accommodate the bikes.
Also since New York State is benefiting from the non-resident income tax from Connecticut and New Jersey commuters, it should be contributing to the CDOT rail and NJT budgets.