Star Ledger: Parkway, Turnpike commuters brace for 50 percent increases

 

Please see the Star Ledger article regarding the upcoming NJ Turmpike and GSP toll increases. As the article says, this will hit Middlesex commuters the hardest according to information from the NJ Turnpike Authority on the usage of these roads.

 

Commuter Parking Advisory Committee

 

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Each morning at 8, Russ Shupak leaves his home in Toms River and starts a commuter’s version of the game Chutes and Ladders.

Playing against thousands of opponents on two of America’s busiest toll roads, he drives north on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike to reach the finish line at his workplace in Newark.

article link

Star Ledger: Port Authority announces new construction projects for Newark airport

You have to love this comment in the article from Assemblyman Wisniewski:

Dow’s transfer to the agency by Gov. Chris Christie was criticized by Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the State Democratic Party. With customary sarcasm, Wisniewski ridiculed Dow’s placement, or "parking," at the Port Authority, which is forced to send NJ Transit buses back across the Hudson River empty after each morning rush hour because there is no room to park them in Manhattan during the layover before the evening rush.  

"Apparently, the P.A. does not have sufficient parking space at he Port Authority Bus Terminal for buses from New Jersey," Wisnieski said. "But they do have sufficient parking space for former New Jersey cabinet officers."

A big round of applause for him. At least someone cares about us bus commuters!

Commuter Parking Advisory Committee

link to Star Ledger article

Another 50% toll hike coming 1/1/12 to NJT and GS Parkway

Gov. Christie lashes out at Port Authority exec, cites inconsistent toll hike figures

In his first public comments on the controversy surrounding the Port Authority’s recent toll hike, Gov. Chris Christie is once again criticizing the agency’s former executive director, Christopher Ward.

The issue involves differences between the Port Authority’s public statements justifying the September toll increase, and what its lawyers are now saying in defending the agency against a lawsuit seeking to overturn the increase.

Christie toll hike article link

Moody's: Negative outlook on NJ Turnpike Authority

State using the NJ Turnpike & GS Parkway as a piggy bank to fund other projects having nothing to do with two roads, sticking it to Middlesex commuters that are dependent on these roads.

Moody's keeps negative credit outlook on Turnpike Authority

Friday November 18, 2011, 6:03 PM

BY JOHN REITMEYER

STATE HOUSE BUREAU

State House Bureau

A Wall Street ratings agency is maintaining the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s negative credit outlook, citing Governor Christie’s decision to divert money from the authority to prop up state transportation spending as a factor.

 

Moody’s Investors Service did not lower the authority's overall credit rating, but kept a negative credit outlook for the authority’s $8.4 billion in debt in place, saying in a report issued this week that high unemployment and a poor economy in general mean less forecasted traffic and revenue

 
http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/111811_Moodys_keeps_negative_credit_outlook_on_Turnpike_Authority.html?page=all

Why toll roads are a bad idea

It's an essay by James Baxter of the National Motorists Association titled "Why Toll Roads Are a Bad Idea." An excerpt:

Toll roads are an inefficient, backwards approach to providing public highways. Worse, they foster corruption, political patronage, and discourage needed improvements on the rest of the highway system.
Don't be fooled by the references to "free-market principles," "proper pricing," "supply and demand," and "economic incentives" from those selling the for-profit roadways. The truth is, any resemblance to free-market principles is more illusion than fact.

http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2011/11/in_honor_of_chris_christies_up.html

Forbes on why Congress should renew QTE for 2012

Transit Riders To Congress: Keep Our Tax Savings Rolling In 2012

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Do you commute to work? The pre-tax benefit for transit commuters is set to drop nearly in half on Jan. 1, costing transit riders $500 and up a year in lost tax savings. On behalf of the more than 2.7 million families who take advantage of the transit portion of commuter benefits, a consortium of players including benefit providers like TransitCenter and WageWorks are rallying to preserve the higher limits. Their handiwork is at the Web site, Commuter Benefits Work For Us, where transit riders can click through to tell Congress they want transit benefits to continue to equal parking benefits after the New Year.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2011/11/23/transit-riders-to-congress-keep-our-tax-savings-rolling/

QTE benefit boost expiring 12/31/11

Americans who ride public transportation will face increased commuting costs if Congress does not act to extend the transit commuter benefit by the end of the year, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This will in effect create a disparity in the federal tax code in favor of the car driver.

In addition, this increased commuting cost will hit the very workers who may need it the most, according the the association. APTA says that 70% of those who rely on public transit have household incomes from $15,000 to $99,000 a year, according to its latest demographic survey of riders.

“Unless Congress acts, there will be a financial bias in the federal tax code against public transit use,” said APTA President Michael P. Melaniphy. “We are seeking to maintain parity with the parking benefit to ensure that there isn’t a disincentive to take public transportation.”

Legislation to temporarily establish parity between parking and transit/vanpool benefits at $230 per month per commuter was extended under the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act through 2011. However, the transit/vanpool portion of the benefit will revert to $125 per month when the provision expires at the end of the year while the parking benefit increases to $240.

Time to let your representatives know that public transit commuters deserve a break too.

Commuter Parking Advisory Committee

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2011/12/APTA-failure-to-extend-transit-commuter-benefits-favors-drivers.aspx?ref=Express-Tuesday-20111206&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter

Clever Commute gets NY Times mention

Clever Coommute gets a mention in a NY Times commuting article.

Many commuters have found this service helpful with our real time commuter posts regarding traffic and other conditions.

We encourage all commuter to sign up if you are interested.

You can find full details on how to sign up here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EBCommuter/message/7616

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/03/nyregion/after-toll-increases-less-traffic-and-more-train-riders.html?_r=1

Commuter Parking Advisory Committee

Another revenue producing opportunity for our local governments

Jersey City's newest set of traffic light cameras help generate more than 3,000 tickets

Tickets on right turns too it seems.

You can never be too careful out there while the meter is running.

http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/12/jersey_citys_newest_set_of_tra.html

N.J. Assembly bill calls for commuter rail parking lots to be open during special events

It is hard to believe we needed to pass a law to get train parking lots open when at event is occurring. Sounds like common sense and a revenue opportunity.

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/nj-assembly-bill-calls-for-commuter-rail-parking-lots-to-be-open-during-special-events

NJ legistaure considering law requiring train station parking during off peak hours

These parking spots are at train stations that the NJ citizens as a whole spend enormous amounts of money to build and operate.

Commuter Parking Advisory Committee

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Proposal moves to Senate floor for a vote

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The Senate Transportation Committee Monday approved legislation designed to remedy problems surrounding overcrowded parking at NJ Transit train stations.

The bill (S-2968.A-1080) would make clear that a vacant permit parking space at the stations is available for general public use during off-peak times. Off-peak hours are described as between 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Often commuters without permit parking are forced to park in permit-only parking areas and receive citations.


http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/bill-approved-to-remedy-nj-transit-parking-problems-at-train-stations?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Wake%20Up%20Call%20NJ&utm_campaign=Wake%20Up%20Call

Stagecoach sells some US school bus operations

Stagecoach is the parent of CoachUSA and Suburban Transit. According to the article they are now primarily focusing on expanding their growing Megabus intercity bus operation.

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Stagecoach is reducing its exposure to the US school bus market in favour of its higher-margin intercity coach business, Megabus US. The UK public transport group said on Tuesday that it had sold its yellow school bus operations in the US state of Wisconsin to Student Transportation Inc, a New Jersey-based company that trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/62661276-0f85-11e1-88cc-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1dvk0Qrqq

Lincoln tunnel entrance bus accident this morning (11/15) with injuries

http://www.nj.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/crash-snarls-buses-at-lincoln-tunnel/71eb6ea8984747a293c62637452a1d77

Commuters start their own charter bus operation to NY from shore

A group of shore commuters have started their own private charter commuter bus from shore to New York after toll hikes with more to come on 1/1/12.

First we have heard of this but very interesting concept.

Wonder if this might catch on elsewhere.

Commuter Parking Advisory Committee

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It has been more than a month since tolls were increased on highways and bridges. A week after the raises, we got together a group and decided that if we can get 40 people, we would charter a bus to commute to New York.

Now, we have more than 100 people commuting and 40 more on a list waiting for an additional bus.

We each save close to $20 on tolls, $20 on gasoline, $30 to $40 on parking lots. That’s aside from the wear and tear on the cars and tires.

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011311070008

Two NY train tunnel proposals moving forward

TRENTON – It wasn’t long ago that U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both D-N.J., and assorted critics of Gov. Chris Christie were predicting doom and gloom and misery on end because Christie said no to the ARC rail project, also known as the tunnel to Macy’s basement.

They look ridiculous now because there are two tunnel prospects. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a proposal to extend New York’s No. 7 subway to Secaucus. Published reports say New York spent $250,000 for a study that concluded the extended subway line would relieve crowding on NJ Transit

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20111110/OPINION02/311100001/BOB-INGLE-Senators-may-not-board-tunnel-plans?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Wake%20Up%20Call%20NJ&utm_campaign=Wake%20Up%20Call

Toll hikes lead commuters to forgo cars, charter a bus

It’ has been more than a month since tolls were increased on highways and bridges. A week after the raises, we got together a group and decided that if we can get 40 people, we would charter a bus to commute to New York.

Now, we have more than 100 people commuting and 40 more on a list waiting for an additional bus.

Create your own commuter bus company:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011311070008

Parking hard to get in CT too

Sounds a lot like East Brunswick.

Commuter Parking Advisory Committee

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FAIRFIELD, Conn.—In the Metro-North parking lots along Connecticut's Gold Coast, the haves and the have-nots aren't defined by their clothes, car or even their net worth. Here, it's about whether they have a flimsy green piece of paper visible on their dashboards.

A public parking pass in this and other towns along the Long Island Sound has become a precious asset. The waiting list for a Fairfield Parking Authority permit has 4,200 people and stretches past six years. In another town, Rowayton, the annual permit sale is an epic frenzy similar to that surrounding the release of a new iPhone, with residents camping out overnight to ensure they get a $325 pass.

The privileged few often keep permits in the family, like aristocrats hoarding wealth.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052970204485304576643411720265644-lMyQjAxMTAxMDIwNDEyNDQyWj.html?mod=wsj_share_email

USA Today red light camera article

Local governments hungry for revenue are signing contracts with red-light camera companies that put profit over traffic safety, according to a new study by a national public interest advocacy group.

Some contracts restrict police from doing things like lengthening the yellow signal and leave taxpayers holding the bag if the contracts are terminated early, says the report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, the federation of state public interest research groups.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-10-26/red-light-camera-deals/50943554/1

Red light traffic cameras: Safety device or cash register

Wall Street Journal article regarding red light cameras:

Officials in Albuquerque, N.M., are expected to decide Monday whether to join the small but growing number of cities that have switched off cameras meant to catch motorists running red lights.

Nationwide, red-light traffic cameras have surged in popularity. More than 550 localities—including New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Chicago—have installed them since the early 1990s, according to a spokesman the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The cameras have resulted in millions of tickets, which often carry fines of about $100. Fans call them a cost-effective tool for keeping drivers in line and intersections safe.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052970203733504577022261634660398-lMyQjAxMTAxMDAwNzEwNDcyWj.html?mod=wsj_share_email

N.J. Turnpike's statewide road trip just getting started

Interesting history of the NJ Turnpike including current expansion project.

Also mentions ANOTHER 50% toll hike coming 1/1/12 on top of the last one.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/nj_turnpikes_statewide_road_tr.html

Federal study of "curbside buses"

The proliferation of intercity bus companies that pick up their passengers curbside has corresponded with an increase in bus accidents and fatalities, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report released Monday.

Curbside bus companies are more than five times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than conventional intercity bus service companies, and newcomers to the business that operate 10 or fewer buses are more likely to be in accidents, the NTSB said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/2011/10/31/gIQAhVJgaM_story.html

Senate approves $15M for work on proposed Amtrak tunnel

U.S. Senate approves $15M for work on proposed Amtrak tunnel spanning from Secaucus to N.Y. Penn Station:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/us_senate_approves_15m_for_wor.html

Bus fire Wednesday 10/26

We have had unconfirmed reports that this bus was Suburban Transit's 9:35 am bus out of East Brunswick on Wednesday, Oct. 26 and had passengers aboard the bus.

We presume that all the passengers got out safely besides the one passenger mentioned in the story:

 http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/10/eastbound_bus_catches_fire_in.html

If any commuters have photos or additional information, please consider sharing them with other commuters by sending them to the Commuter Parking Advisory Committee at ebcommuter@ yahoo.com or at our web site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebcommuter/

Commuter Parking Advisory Committee  

QTE transportation benefit at risk of dropping to $120 month again

$230 monthly transit limit expires on 12/31/11 and will drop back to $120 month if Congress does not take action to extend it.

See further details here:

http://blog.tstc.org/2011/10/18/equality-between-federal-transit-parking-benefits-at-risk-again/

Article on Exit 9 of NJ Turnpike

Can't get much closer to home than that.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/exit_9_rutgers_researchers_unc.html

PM XBL from PABT concept

Interesting concept.

It would seem to us that  bus parking in midtown would be a bigger help though.

Also traffic is far worse downtown that midtown in our view altough every little bit helps.

http://www.app.com/article/20111014/NJNEWS/310140112/NJ-Transit-Survey-makes-case-for-p-m-bus-lane-from-Lincoln-Tunnel

New train station for only $19,750 per commuter that uses it

$7.9 million for 400 commuters a day.

Of course this does not include a second station at the other end of the line, the cost of the train, etc.

That assumes it is also not 200 commuters twice a day too.

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2011/10/NJ-Transit-upgrades-transit-station-for-7-9M.aspx?ref=Express-Tuesday-20111011&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter

NJ mass transit riders consigned to years of congestion and unreliable bus service

More on PABT bus parking cancellation:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/ap/state/port-authority-scraps-bus-garage/article_f662cf79-ef6d-5521-aabc-d0e2b5b675da.html#.TonrauEpJw0.email

We we desperately need a bus parking garage for the PABT

Nothing will ever get better at the PABT evenings without it:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/131311299_Delaying_bus_garage_expansion_is_senseless.html?page=all

NJ and Feds make a deal on cancelled ARC tunnel - $95 million

http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-30/news/30230372_1_tunnel-project-new-tunnel-second-rail-tunnel

Longest commutes, no surprise there

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201109252302/NJNEWS/309260004

PA toll hike drives away drivers and revenue

Wouldn't it be funny if they got LESS revenue with toll hike than they got before?

http://gothamist.com/2011/09/26/pa_toll_hike_has_been_great_for_mas.php

Lost revenue on toll roads, step up enforcement efforts

http://www.app.com/article/20110927/NJNEWS/309270061/1007/rss03

Port Authority Chief Tells it Like it Is

Tri-State Transportation Campaign posting re Port Authority:

http://blog.tstc.org/2011/09/29/port-authority-chief-has-told-it-like-it-is-on-infrastructure/