As a friend put it in social media, the new Grand Central Madison “proves we CAN build great things (in the U.S.).” Yeah… a decade late and 400% over budget.
Talking Transportation
Talking Transportation is a weekly opinion column written by Jim Cameron, a longtime CT Viewpoints contributor and rail advocate based in southwestern Connecticut.
Connecticut’s transportation obfuscation
Since April the Council has asked for data on on-time performance by station, when Shore Line East service would be fully restored, and more. Bupkis.
Competition for Amtrak? Maybe
AmeriStarRail LLC claims to have $5.5 billion ready to spend on a fleet of high-speed trains built by the same company Amtrak is using for the new Acela train sets.
Learning from the Europeans how to do rail right
Imagine Washington to New York air shuttles being legislated out of existence. Imagine Amtrak offering cheaper, but still high-speed, options.
Metro-North, bring back the quiet cars!
Canceled during the pandemic, the railroad has been dragging its heels in returning this important passenger amenity.
The man who shaped New York’s transportation landscape
Today’s transportation planners need to understand the achievements — and failures — of Robert Moses.
New Grand Central Madison to bring small relief for CT commuters
The new station will mean some New Haven line trains will be able to terminate at Penn Station instead of Grand Central, saving some time.
Winter is coming. Don’t just complain about it
The state Department of Transportation, our bus companies and commuter railroads are getting ready for winter. But there are challenges ahead.
Metro-North fare increases coming
With Metro-North’s parent agency facing a fiscal cliff, hikes in commuter rail fares seem likely in the near future.
CT’s next transportation commissioner differs from his predecessor. Is he a good fit?
Garrett Eucalitto, DOT’s current deputy commissioner, is a self-described “policy nerd,” not a Metro-North or highways guy.
On Amtrak’s busiest week, more riders, but not more cars
Why can’t Amtrak add more cars to its trains to carry the extra loads, earn some badly needed revenue and help people make their holiday journey?
EVs are Connecticut’s future. Will there be enough juice?
Charging up a Tesla costs about $14 and can take you maybe 300 miles. But that’s based on current electric rates. But they’re going up, way up.
The slow walk of the Walk Bridge replacement
Imagine replacing the George Washington Bridge, in-place, while 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.
Full buses, half-empty trains and wider (barely) airline seats…
Full buses, half-empty trains, wider airline seats and other items of transportation interest from land, sea and air.
Fallen flag airlines
Do you remember PEOPLExpress Airlines? How about NorthEast? Or Mohawk?