I don't know enough about the Greenbush line to have an opinion on it. But I suspect the answer to your last few  posts can be found in this paragraph in the very article you posted...

 

“To a large extent the delays at Greenbush were a self-fulfilling prophecy on the part of the opponents,’’ said Seth Kaplan, vice president for policy and climate advocacy at the Conservation Law Foundation. “It’s a little bit disingenuous to look back and say, ‘Well, gosh, it really wasn’t a good idea because it got slowed down [and made more expensive]’ when the people who are saying it are the people who slowed it down.’’

Another step in passenger rail

 

By Hasso Hering democratherald.com | Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 10:00 am

 

The long process of planning for more and faster passenger rail service in the Willamette Valley is about to take another step.

 

It's the preparation of an environmental impact statement to cover increased rail service between Portland and Eugene.

 

The U.S. Department of transportation has approved a grant of nearly

 

$9 million, and about half will be spent on the Portland-Eugene corridor study, said Betsy Imholt, rail study director for ODOT Rail.

 

Full stoy at: http://www.democratherald.com/news/local/article_d82028d4-e4bc-11df-9724-001cc4c002e0.html

Clean Water Permit for High Speed Rail

By Ann-Elise Henzl

November 1, 2010 | WUWM | Milwaukee, WI

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it has issued a Clean Water Act permit to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the first segment of the planned high speed rail project between Milwaukee and Madison. Eventually, the rail line would be connected to other high speed rail routes throughout the Midwest.

 

The Milwaukee-Madison line is funded through federal recovery dollars. It is scheduled for completion in 2013. However, that could change based on the outcome of Tuesday's election.

 

Full story at: http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=7140

I haven't heard what's going on with the Wisconsin governor's race. Their secretary of state's website doesn't even post election results and instead directs inquiries to the Associated Press! Glad to see Wisconsin is stuck doing things the 1980s way.

The GOP basically swept from Jersey to Wisconsin.

I haven't heard what's going on with the Wisconsin governor's race. Their secretary of state's website doesn't even post election results and instead directs inquiries to the Associated Press! Glad to see Wisconsin is stuck doing things the 1980s way.

 

According to th Milwaukee paper, the "R" won.  Quinn (D) is ahead by less than 9,000 votes in the Illinois Governor's race.

The Stupid Factory has been busy cranking out politicians and their voters lately -- on both sides of the border....

 

A friend of mine in Toronto told me they just voted in a mayor that wants to scrap the streetcars. Although he will probably not be able to do it. But still.

 

Millburn officials seek to pass first resolution in N.J. supporting killed ARC tunnel

 

MILLBURN – Gov. Chris Chistie may have killed the Hudson River rail tunnel, but some Millburn officials want to try and resuscitate it.

 

Township Committee member Jim Suell wants the governing body to be the first town in the state to pass a resolution in support of the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) Tunnel.

 

http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2010/11/millburn_wonders_can_the_tunne.html

Some good news out of an otherwise dismal election....

 

11/4/2010    Ballot Measures

 

For the most part, voters vote 'yes' on transportation

 

On Nov. 2, voters approved 22 of 30 transportation ballot measures across the country, according to the Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE).

 

In California, voters approved Proposition 22, a constitutional amendment to close loopholes that enable state leaders to fill budget gaps with money designated for transportation purposes.

 

San Francisco and San Mateo County voters also approved raising vehicle registration fees by $10 and using a portion of the proceeds to improve transit reliability and operations.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=24966

State halts work on high speed rail line

By Larry Sandler and Jason Stein of the Journal Sentinel

Updated: Nov. 4, 2010 4:34 p.m.

 

The state Department of Transportation has told contractors on the high-speed rail line between Madison and Milwaukee to stop work on the federally funded project "for a few days," in the wake of rail opponent Scott Walker's victory in the governor's race, Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi said Thursday.

 

But contractors immediately started talking about laying off employees, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett hinted the city could consider legal action if a permanent shutdown of the line shortens the life of a Spanish-owned train manufacturing plant on the city's north side.

 

"At the governor's request, I have asked contractors and consultants working on the high speed rail project to temporarily interrupt their work for a few days," Busalacchi said in a written statement, referring to outgoing Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle.

 

Full story at: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/106705698.html

Talgo: If train leaves state, so will company

Daily Reporter

Published: November 4, 2010

By Marie Rohde

 

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said that if Wisconsin does not use the $810 million in federal stimulus money to build a high-speed train system the money should be used to offset the federal deficit.

 

Meanwhile, representatives from Talgo Inc., the Spanish company that chose Milwaukee as its site in the U.S. for building and maintaining high-speed trains, said the company may be forced to shut down its Milwaukee operation if the high-speed rail project is killed.

 

“We were hoping to stay in Wisconsin and we were expecting our business to grow,” said Nora Friend, a Talgo spokeswoman. “But once the order for the Oregon trains are done, we would have to shut down the facility. I don’t think that’s what the new governor wants.”

 

READ MORE AT:

http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/11/04/barrett-killing-high-speed-rail-project-goes-beyond-politics/

Talgo: If train leaves state, so will company

Daily Reporter

Published: November 4, 2010

By Marie Rohde

 

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said that if Wisconsin does not use the $810 million in federal stimulus money to build a high-speed train system the money should be used to offset the federal deficit.

 

Meanwhile, representatives from Talgo Inc., the Spanish company that chose Milwaukee as its site in the U.S. for building and maintaining high-speed trains, said the company may be forced to shut down its Milwaukee operation if the high-speed rail project is killed.

 

We were hoping to stay in Wisconsin and we were expecting our business to grow, said Nora Friend, a Talgo spokeswoman. But once the order for the Oregon trains are done, we would have to shut down the facility. I dont think thats what the new governor wants.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/11/04/barrett-killing-high-speed-rail-project-goes-beyond-politics/

 

Wonder if they'll move down the tracks to Illinois?  If you recall, they were one of the states vying for the Talgo plant.

Good question. Is Illinois planning to buy Talgo trains?

Good question. Is Illinois planning to buy Talgo trains?

 

Don't know....but if it meant putting a manufacturing facility with that many jobs (plus those of suppliers) in my state, I'd sure be buying what Talgo has to sell.

No good. I've known too many Spaniards....

 

The Princess Bride - Hello My Name Is Inigo Montoya

No good. I've known too many Spaniards....

 

The Princess Bride - Hello My Name Is Inigo Montoya

 

Ehh.....EuroTrash

Scott Walker asks train maker Talgo to remain open here

Company representative says governor-elect expressed indecision on high-speed rail line

By Jason Stein and Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel

Nov. 5, 2010

 

Madison — Governor-elect Scott Walker reached out to a Milwaukee train manufacturer Friday, seeking to keep its operations in the state long-term as he advocates for stopping a passenger rail project involving the company.

 

"Governor-elect Walker is reaching out to leadership at Talgo to encourage them to stay in Wisconsin," Walker spokeswoman Jill Bader said Friday.

 

A spokeswoman for Talgo, the U.S. unit of the Spanish firm Patentes Talgo, said that Walker told company officials that his decision to stop a proposed Madison-to-Milwaukee passenger rail line is "not final."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/106790123.html

Scott Walker asks train maker Talgo to remain open here

Company representative says governor-elect expressed indecision on high-speed rail line

By Jason Stein and Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel

Nov. 5, 2010

 

Madison Governor-elect Scott Walker reached out to a Milwaukee train manufacturer Friday, seeking to keep its operations in the state long-term as he advocates for stopping a passenger rail project involving the company.

 

"Governor-elect Walker is reaching out to leadership at Talgo to encourage them to stay in Wisconsin," Walker spokeswoman Jill Bader said Friday.

 

A spokeswoman for Talgo, the U.S. unit of the Spanish firm Patentes Talgo, said that Walker told company officials that his decision to stop a proposed Madison-to-Milwaukee passenger rail line is "not final."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/106790123.html

 

Oh my...looks like they're getting OFF "the bus" in Wisconsin.  Funny what the reality check of that many jobs will do to put the brakes on a gubernatorial bus driver.

 

Of course, our own Governor-elect doesn't seem to care about over 26,000 jobs at 225 companies in Ohio that could benefit from not only the 3C, but an expansion of passenger rail service across the nation.

Maybe we need some rail industry suppliers to put jobs on the line in Ohio too. Sometimes the stick is needed more than the carrot to get the point across to certain people...

 

Casey, mayor promote commuter rail line development

Monday, November 08, 2010

By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

 

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today hailed a $1.5 million federal grant that will be used to plan construction of a "green boulevard" with a commuter rail line and biking-walking trail in Lawrenceville.

 

The two met with officials of the federal Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments in the heart of a proposed redevelopment area, at 43rd and Railroad streets.

 

"This is about jobs, this is about the quality of life and it's about the future," Mr. Casey said.

 

 

 

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10312/1101734-100.stm#ixzz14kGCgp2k

http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?locid=19&prid=5479

 

For Immediate Release

Monday, November 08, 2010

Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

 

Governor Doyle Statement on High Speed Rail

 

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today issued the following statement regarding high speed rail in Wisconsin:

 

“The high speed rail project is one that is very important to this state and one that I have worked on for many years.  Over the past several years we have made Wisconsin a regional rail leader.  We have spent years working closely with our neighboring states, our federal partners and Amtrak. We collaborated to plan the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, a nine-state intercity passenger rail system with a hub in Chicago, to connect Wisconsin’s centers of commerce and businesses to others in the Midwest.

 

“When President Obama announced his initial investment in modern high speed rail for this country, Wisconsin was the biggest winner.  States across the country, with rail projects totaling $55 billion, were competing for the $8 billion that was available.  The $823 million Wisconsin received is more than 10 percent of all the funds awarded nationally for high speed rail projects. And Wisconsin was the only state to receive all of the funds it applied for.

 

“We have gotten this project to the point where construction work is ready to begin immediately.  Right now, people could be at work constructing land bridges and more.  I could push forward full steam ahead on this project, play brinksmanship.  In fact, we could spend or obligate hundreds of millions of dollars. 

 

“While I could force the issue, I believe that this project will only be successful in the long run if the State of Wisconsin and the U.S. Department of Transportation are strong partners.  For that reason, I have put the project on pause, so that the U.S. DOT and the Governor-elect can confer about the future of the high speed rail project.  If Governor-elect Walker opposes the project, U.S. DOT has made it clear that the money will go to one of the many other states that intend to move forward with high speed passenger rail.

 

“To me, it doesn’t make sense to not move ahead, but we have had an election.  There has been a lot of politics played with this issue, but I have to deal in the real world and think about how this affects real jobs and the real lives of people in Wisconsin.

 

“There are real consequences for not going forward. Over 400 Wisconsin workers were scheduled to work on the project over the next several months and now face the real possibility of being laid off.  Over $14 million in expenses incurred over the last six months will need to be paid for by Wisconsin taxpayers.  Necessary upgrades to the existing Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago totaling $82 million will no longer be eligible for federal assistance, shifting costs from the federal government to the state.  These include $18 million in platform renovations at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station necessary to bring the platform into compliance with federal safety regulations; $12 million for platform renovations at the Milwaukee Airport Station and other important improvements to the existing Hiawatha line; and $52 million for a facility to maintain new Hiawatha train sets.

 

“It is my understanding that in the coming days, the U.S. Department of Transportation will reach out to Governor-elect Walker about the project so that he fully understands these consequences. There has been talk that this money could be used for roads.  That is pure fiction.  There are already states lined up with rail projects waiting for us to turn back this money. If the Governor-elect decides that Wisconsin should not build new rail infrastructure, the U.S. DOT has made it very clear this money will go to another state.”

 

To view the fact sheet on the project, visit: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=20612.

From the USDOT...

 

Special Advisory to USDOT Employees

November 8, 2010

Message from Joe Boardman

 Dear Co-workers,

 

 Today, we’re announcing an agreement with French National Railways (SNCF) and Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation to bid for the contract to design, build, operate, maintain and finance Florida’s planned high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando. 

 

 The consortium we have formed presents a powerful, full-service team to pursue the high-speed rail contract in Florida.

 

Partnership is central to our future, whether it be with states, freight railroads, or others in the industry. In this case, each partner brings its unique body of experience and knowledge. Bechtel was the leader in a consortium which brought high-speed rail to the UK (HS1). The SNCF launched high-speed rail service (TGV) in Europe on the Paris to Lyon line in 1981, bringing three decades of high-speed rail implementation and operating expertise to the team.

 

 Bechtel offers demonstrated engineering, construction, and program management expertise; while SNCF has its proven ability to design, operate and maintain high- speed rail systems around the world. As America’s high-speed rail provider, we offer a wealth of operational expertise and know-how to the group. Combining SNCF’s international high-speed rail experience with our own amplifies what we can offer the citizens of Florida.

 

 The Florida line is a turn-key project requiring a team that can provide all of the systems needed for a world-class high speed rail operation.  We believe, along with our partners, that we can deliver that.

 

 As I’ve mentioned before, advancing Amtrak’s role as the preferred and premier provider of high-speed rail in America doesn’t start and end with the NEC. As you may remember, we recently announced a new High-Speed Rail department, led by Vice President of High Speed Rail Al Engel, to help us advance our ambitions in the high-speed rail arena.

 

 We need to aggressively compete to secure this leadership position, and by bringing all of our resources to bear, together with our partners in this consortium, we aim to win.

 

Sincerely,

 

Joe Boardman

President and CEO

That's reee-markable!

Amtrak got a wakeup call when they lost the Virginia Railway Express commuter service contract to Veolis. They now realize they are not the only game in town and that they have a LOT of catching up to do. Too often they have not been viewed as a solution to transportation problems and a lot of that is Amtrak's own fault. They have not been proactive in building services up with state partners and some at Amtrak had the attitude they were bulletproof. Those days are gone. Good.

California intercity corridors post ridership gains in October

 

California intercity passenger-rail corridors began fiscal-year 2011 the same way they ended FY2010: with strong ridership, revenue and on-time performance figures.

 

In October, the first month of the new fiscal year, the San Jose-to-Auburn Capitol Corridor registered 141,350 passengers, up 3.1 percent compared with October 2009. Revenue rose 7.2 percent and on-time performance reached 96 percent, according to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority.

 

Read more at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/California-intercity-corridors-post-ridership-gains-in-October--25027

 

BTW, someone reminded me of this tale from recent Florida history this morning, and why we should not despair even if Kasich pulls the plug on 3C...

 

His (Kasich's) letter to outgoing Governor Strickland sounds like the same kind of attitude Jeb Bush took in Florida in 1998 when he unilatraly discontinued the FOX (Florida Overland Express high-speed rail) project (including $70 million per year in state funds set aside for it), and then borrowed oodles of money to build dozens of miles of new Florida toll miles. The toll roads were all built lickety-split without an environmental impact report and hurt Florida's agriculture industry.

A very detailed story on what it will cost Wisconsin to cancel it's passenger rail project...

 

Doyle says canceling rail line will cost $100 million, cut 400 jobs

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says state can't use funds for highwaysBy Larry Sandler of the Journal Sentinel

 

Nov. 8, 2010

 

Canceling a planned high-speed rail line will cost Wisconsin taxpayers nearly $100 million and more than 400 jobs in the near future, Gov. Jim Doyle said Monday.

 

Doyle's figures include not only money already spent and workers already hired, but also jobs not yet created and state money needed to replace federal funds for upgrades to existing train service.

 

Also Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood flatly rejected Governor-elect Scott Walker's claim that the $810 million in federal stimulus money allocated for the Milwaukee-to-Madison route could be shifted to state roads, saying the federal government will pull back all of that cash and send it to other states for their own high-speed train projects.

 

Full story at: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/106914208.html

Well, it's almost another state.....

 

GO Transit wraps up Passenger Charter week

Friday, November 12, 2010 

 

Following a week of events launching GO Transit's first-ever Passenger Charter, GO riders in the Toronto area are getting a chance to tell their favorite customer service stories with the launch of the new Random Acts of GO-ness program.

 

GO has been highlighting promises from the Passenger Charter all week, letting passengers know that they are being heard and improvements are being made. The new Random Acts of GO-ness program is an opportunity for customers to tell their stories about how GO employees - and other GO customers - have made riding with GO an easier, more enjoyable way to travel.

 

The last of the five commitments - to help customers quickly and courteously - is GO's promise to effectively respond to customer inquiries and help passengers within a short amount of time. This final promise exemplifies the one-on-one 'customer-first' approach that GO is committed to taking with passengers. By asking customers for their stories, GO hopes to highlight some of these great acts of customer service that occur across the system.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/go-transit-wraps-up-passenger-charter-week.html

While Ohio debates.....

 

Amtrak's Illinois ridership spikes in FY10

 

Amtrak has set yet another annual ridership record in Illinois. In fiscal-year 2010, the railroad carried nearly 2 million people on routes operated in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation, up 7 percent compared with FY2009. Since 2005, Amtrak ridership in the Midwest has spiked 55 percent.

 

 

Full story at:http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/Amtraks-Illinois-ridership-spikes-in-FY10--25063

Midwest Amtrak route ridership has spiked 55% since 2005?

 

That stat flies in the face of those who say that Northeast Corridor-like population density is needed for passenger rail to really work.  In some cases here, in the Midwest, the only thing keeping the numbers from going even higher is a lack of equipment!  If there were more cars on the trains, they'd be even fuller!

Midwest Amtrak route ridership has spiked 55% since 2005?

 

That stat flies in the face of those who say that Northeast Corridor-like population density is needed for passenger rail to really work.  In some cases here, in the Midwest, the only thing keeping the numbers from going even higher is a lack of equipment!  If there were more cars on the trains, they'd be even fuller!

 

Right on.  :clap: :banger:

And passenger rail brings economic development and jobs.....

 

Joliet, Ill., has high hopes for $42-million transit hub       

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 

 

With a $32-million grant in hand, Joliet, Ill., officials are hopeful that a new transportation center will put the city on the map as a regional transportation hub, the Chicago Tribune reports. Joliet officials recently learned of the state grant, which came just one week after the city was turned down for a federal grant for the project. The state grant, announced Oct. 28, will allow for the construction of a transportation center immediately south of Union Station.

 

City officials declined to pinpoint a target date for the project's completion; some suggested parts of it could be done in the next two years. The proposed center, which would be the only one of its kind in the Southwest suburbs, would be a hub for commuter rail service, high-speed rail and local and long-distance buses. Joliet officials also hope to link four of the city's major bike trails to the facility.

 

Full story at: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/joliet-ill.-has-high-hopes-for-42-million-transit-hub.html

And passenger rail creates business for railcar manufacturers...

Rell rides CT’s newest rail cars

Hartford Business News

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Gov. M. Jodi Rell this morning rode Connecticut's first new set of rail cars purchased for $939 million for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield passenger line.

 

In 2009 and 2010, the state bond commission approved expenditures of $713 million and $226 million to buy a total of 380 new rail cars as Connecticut tries to entice more people onto the mass transit system.

 

Full story at: http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news15617.html

From Vermont...

 

Surge in freight could be secret to passenger rail success

Mon Nov 15 2010

Author: Ed Barna

 

The aftermath of the Great Depression brought a surge in railroad use, by people without money illegally riding trains to other states to find jobs.

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, Vermont rail transit is seeing a resurgence, but for different reasons. The rebounding economy and budget tourism have brought a rise in rail use, which seems likely to accelerate with infrastructure investment.

 

For the long run, there is the hope that passenger rail service will improve its speed and routes, which could help tourism and commuting and in the process reduce expenditures for highway maintenance. But the key to that may be improvements in freight rail infrastructure, which could bring revenues from transshipping (notably from the ports of Boston, Montreal and Albany) as well as facilitating market development for businesses located in the state (something already seen in the extraction industry).

 

Full story at: http://www.vermontbiz.com/article/november/surge-freight-could-be-secret-passenger-rail-success

Next NY/NJ tunnel idea: Extend No. 7    

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 

 

 

Rising from years of low-level, behind-the-scenes discussion, a proposal to extend MTA New York City Transit’s No. 7 subway line under the Hudson River into Secaucus, N.J., gained public attention late Tuesday, with supporters, critics, and observers immediately piling on.

 

The proposal would extend the No. 7, already being extended from Times Square to West 34th Street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan, under the Hudson River to connect with New Jersey Transit’s Secaucus Junction, located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC). The extension, if realized, would make MTA NYCT a bistate operation for the first time, and offer NEC riders (NJ Transit customers and, presumably, Amtrak patrons) access to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Grand Central Terminal.

 

Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/next-ny-nj-tunnel-plan-extend-no.-7.html

Next NY/NJ tunnel idea: Extend No. 7  

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 

 

 

Rising from years of low-level, behind-the-scenes discussion, a proposal to extend MTA New York City Transit’s No. 7 subway line under the Hudson River into Secaucus, N.J., gained public attention late Tuesday, with supporters, critics, and observers immediately piling on.

 

The proposal would extend the No. 7, already being extended from Times Square to West 34th Street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan, under the Hudson River to connect with New Jersey Transit’s Secaucus Junction, located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC). The extension, if realized, would make MTA NYCT a bistate operation for the first time, and offer NEC riders (NJ Transit customers and, presumably, Amtrak patrons) access to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Grand Central Terminal.

 

Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/next-ny-nj-tunnel-plan-extend-no.-7.html

 

This isn't going to happen.  The MTA cannot provide adequate service to the system currently in place. 

 

Hell they had to eliminate the one station in the 7 line extention.

 

Leave regional rail to the regional carriers (NJT, LIRR and Metro North).

That part of NJ is already so Manhattanized, it only makes sense to give them MTA service.

That part of NJ is already so Manhattanized, it only makes sense to give them MTA service.

 

They already have MTA service.  Right at Hoboken!

^^Secaucus is certainly a lot closer to GCT than Flushing is.  In that sense, the subway's been serving a "regional" population for a long time.  I actually think this is a great idea.  I've idly chit chatted about it for years with friends but figured there must be some daunting engineering challenge.

Huh? Hoboken has a ferry and the PATH...what does MTA run?

Huh? Hoboken has a ferry and the PATH...what does MTA run?

 

The Metro North Port Jarvis and Passaic lines run out of Hoboken.

Those don't even go into NYC, so they hardly count. (Also, it's Pascack, not Passaic.)

 

I realize Metro-North is technically MTA, but those obviously aren't an alternative to the 7 subway line, which was what we were talking about. By that standard, MTA already serves Secaucus, too.

Those don't even go into NYC, so they hardly count. (Also, it's Pascack, not Passaic.)

 

I realize Metro-North is technically MTA, but those obviously aren't an alternative to the 7 subway line, which was what we were talking about. By that standard, MTA already serves Secaucus, too.

 

Who cares!  There are already many options and the water taxi is faster and more fun!

I like the idea. An arbitrary state line is what has limited the number of Hudson River crossings vs. the East River crossings for subways. The Hudson has just two compared to 200 (or so it seems) for the East River.

 

And this discussion is making me think this should be moved to "What other states are doing"....

Those don't even go into NYC, so they hardly count. (Also, it's Pascack, not Passaic.)

 

I realize Metro-North is technically MTA, but those obviously aren't an alternative to the 7 subway line, which was what we were talking about. By that standard, MTA already serves Secaucus, too.

 

Who cares!  There are already many options and the water taxi is faster and more fun!

 

You have to transfer to the water taxi, unless you live right near it (though I agree it's more fun). PATH trains are good, provided you're on the line. But those lines are limited. And that's exactly the point: extending the 7 creates more options. Especially since PATH from Hoboken goes all the way south, before finally going up to Midtown. A straight line into midtown from Secaucus makes a ton of sense. The NJ side of the river is more connected (by most measures) to Midtown than the other end of the 7, out in Flushing. So why not trasportationally?

 

The Hudson is more of an arbitrary line with each passing year. JC & Hoboken have made the transition from the 6th borough to Manhattan West. It's time the subway tunnels start reflecting that.

Those don't even go into NYC, so they hardly count. (Also, it's Pascack, not Passaic.)

 

I realize Metro-North is technically MTA, but those obviously aren't an alternative to the 7 subway line, which was what we were talking about. By that standard, MTA already serves Secaucus, too.

 

Who cares!  There are already many options and the water taxi is faster and more fun!

 

You have to transfer to the water taxi, unless you live right near it (though I agree it's more fun). PATH trains are good, provided you're on the line. But those lines are limited. And that's exactly the point: extending the 7 creates more options. Especially since PATH from Hoboken goes all the way south, before finally going up to Midtown. A straight line into midtown from Secaucus makes a ton of sense. The NJ side of the river is more connected (by most measures) to Midtown than the other end of the 7, out in Flushing. So why not trasportationally?

 

The Hudson is more of an arbitrary line with each passing year. JC & Hoboken have made the transition from the 6th borough to Manhattan West. It's time the subway tunnels start reflecting that.

 

I disagree.  Fix the current system before trying to expand into another state.  THEN AND ONLY THEN, If you're going to expand do it via the MN under 42 street.  That my opinion.

It won't happen soon, anyway. You'd be better off b!tching about the 2nd Ave. tunnel being built before the current system is "fixed".

I also posted this under Amtrak news....but it applies here as well.

 

Amtrak’s Lynchburg service surpasses ridership, revenue goals

 

During its first year of operation, Amtrak’s Lynchburg train exceeded annual ridership and revenue targets.

 

The route provides a daily service from Lynchurg, Va., on the I-81/Route 29 corridor to Washington, D.C., and as far north as Boston. Amtrak and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) launched service on the corridor in October 2009.

 

During fiscal-year 2010, which ended Sept. 30, the Lynchburg train carried 126,072 passengers, exceeding its goal of 51,000 riders by 147.2 percent. The service also generated $6.33 million in revenue, well surpassing its $2.58 million goal.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/Amtrak’s-Lynchburg-service-surpasses-ridership-revenue-goals--25090

here's a local take on the #7 train extension with video link below.

 

imo it's just a kind of knee-jerk reaction to canceling the jersey hudson tunnel, it won't happen anytime soon if ever. there used to be talk about doing this with the L train too back in the day so extending mta subways to joisey is nothing new. however, even more than money, it would also take a degree of inter-state cooperation that just does not really exist - thats why the east river gets the majority of the transit fun! also, mayor bloomie is a lame duck mayor so i doubt he has the juice to set it in motion (didja notice how emperor bloomberg did not even bother to consult the mta president!!!), but who knows? good for him if he can lasso in the loose change from the tunnel debacle fallout -- we'll see:

 

 

Updated 11/17/2010 08:56 AM

 

City Floats Idea Of Extending 7 Train To Jersey

By: Grant Greenberg

 

City Hall is said to be considering a plan that would possibly extend the Number 7 subway train to New Jersey. NY1's Grant Greenberg filed the following report.

 

The mayor's office is floating a plan to extend the Number 7 train under the Hudson River as far as Secaucus, New Jersey with connections to New Jersey Transit, potentially easing congestion in the city and allowing tens of thousands of commuters to keep their cars at home.

 

To pay for it, the city would tap some of the federal money that would have gone towards a commuter rail tunnel. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pulled the plug on that project because of projected cost overruns.

 

While the idea is still in the very early stages, a spokesman for the city's Deputy Mayor for Economic Development says, "Like others, we’re looking at - and open to discussing - any creative, fiscally responsible alternatives. Extending the 7 line to New Jersey could address many of the region’s transportation capacity issues at a fraction of the original tunnel’s cost."

 

The plan is so new that New York City Transit President Thomas Prendergast told NY1 Tuesday night he hadn't heard about it.

 

"The regional plan association, they've talked about that for years, but we have no comment on that, and it's something that from a standpoint of that's news to us," he said.

 

Since Governor Christie shelved the original tunnel plan, there's been no shortage of ideas about what to do with the federal transportation dollars.

 

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has said she wants to use the funds for the Second Avenue Subway, while Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo has suggested a high-speed rail link.

 

According to the New York Times, a Number 7 tunnel would cost $5.3 billion -- about half as much as the one Governor Christie vetoed.

 

Construction is already underway to extend the line to 34th Street and 11th Avenue.

 

http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/129069/city-floats-idea-of-extending-7-train-to-jersey/

$35-million Recovery Act grant to renovate St. Paul, Minn., Union Depot  

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 

 

Renovations to Minnesota's historic Union Depot in Saint Paul can now begin thanks to a signed agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority for $35 million, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

 

The money will pay for the renovation of the multimodal transit hub in the heart of downtown Saint Paul and for the restoration of tracks, driveways and sidewalks. The upgrades will help create a vibrant transportation center, revitalize downtown and promote economic growth with greater access to the city's businesses. 

 

....The overall project is $237.5 million, which includes renovation of the transit facility and co-locating Amtrak, intercity bus carriers, local bus, light rail services, taxis and bicycle accommodations. 

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/35-million-recovery-act-grant-to-renovate-st.-paul-minn.-union-depot.html