NJ TRANSIT Closes the Doors on Weekend Service to New York

The New Jersey Transit Board of Directors approved new standard-frame bike rules for New Jersey Transit trains operating in the Newark (Northern) division (which includes the Northeast Corridor Line from Trenton). As promised, effective July 1st passengers with bikes will once again be permitted to board and alight trains at low platform stations.

Photo by MontclairBobbyB on Flickr

But the news is not all good. The board also approved new time restrictions on weekends for trains that operate to and from Penn Station New York. Trains that arrive in New York between 9 and 12 AM and depart New York between 5 and 8 PM will be off-limits to passengers with standard frame bicycles. Given the limited SEPTA service connections to the Northeast Corridor on weekends, the new rules effectively puts a straight-jacket on weekend day trips to central NJ and NYC. Only one early AM Train which departs Market East Station at 5:40 AM will have connecting bike service to Manhattan.

Sadik-Khan for Transportation Secretary?

Streetsblog reported last week that New York City DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan may be considered for a position in Barack Obama's Department of Transportation, maybe as Secretary.

Considering what she has done for NYC since arriving in mid-2007, having her be a leader in national transportation policy would be incredible. If you have 11 minutes to watch this video summarizing how she has helped changed NYC's streetscape, watch it. It's amazing. We can only hope that some of this innovative and creative energy will emerge in Philadelphia.