Comments for Commuter Age http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy Covering transportation issues Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:53:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Metro-North Customer Pledge ratified by MTA by Don Perdue http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2012/01/23/metro-north-customer-pledge-ratified-by-mta/#comment-1037 Don Perdue Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:53:55 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=242#comment-1037 Just reading your poster in the 3:46 to Wassaic. This train is filthy. Every corner has ground in dirt. You must be kidding Filthy The people are great the equipment old and new needs Otherwise a good service. Thanksthrough Just reading your poster in the 3:46 to Wassaic. This train is filthy. Every corner has ground in dirt. You must be kidding
Filthy The people are great the equipment old and new needs
Otherwise a good service. Thanksthrough

]]> Comment on Malloy to meet with U.S. DOT Chief Ray LaHood to discuss speed rail application by Ellen http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2011/03/16/malloy-to-meet-with-u-s-dot-chief-ray-lahood-to-discuss-speed-rail-application/#comment-316 Ellen Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:13:21 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=206#comment-316 That's just what Connecticut needs. It's like pouring money into a bottomless pit. That’s just what Connecticut needs. It’s like pouring money into a bottomless pit.

]]> Comment on I should have had an M-8. by Martin Cassidy http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2011/03/02/i-should-have-had-an-m-8/#comment-265 Martin Cassidy Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:52:33 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=181#comment-265 Yes, it runs empty to Harrison. Yes, it runs empty to Harrison.

]]> Comment on I should have had an M-8. by Martin Cassidy http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2011/03/02/i-should-have-had-an-m-8/#comment-264 Martin Cassidy Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:49:58 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=181#comment-264 The departure time is right, but the length of the trip was an hour short. Thanks for noticing. The departure time is right, but the length of the trip was an hour short. Thanks for noticing.

]]> Comment on I should have had an M-8. by Amanda http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2011/03/02/i-should-have-had-an-m-8/#comment-263 Amanda Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:33:43 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=181#comment-263 Are you sure that schedule is correct in the afternoon? You have the 657 train getting from New Haven to GCT in 43 minutes, which is way too short a ride. Is the train running empty from GCT to Harrison in the morning? Are you sure that schedule is correct in the afternoon? You have the 657 train getting from New Haven to GCT in 43 minutes, which is way too short a ride.

Is the train running empty from GCT to Harrison in the morning?

]]> Comment on Governor Malloy meets with Metro-North President Howard Permut about Metro-North winter service disruptions by Diane http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2011/02/10/governor-malloy-meets-with-metro-north-president-howard-permut-about-metro-north-winter-service-disruptions/#comment-243 Diane Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:13:55 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=174#comment-243 Starting in late Fall 2010, I began writing to Metro North regularly via their customer service email form. This was before the weather issues came into play. Each day I would write and tell them the on New Haven line were overcrowded with people standing in the aisles. Again this is before the weather issues. Metro North would respond with a daily form letter that went like this: "Dear Diane, thanks for writing sorry for any problems, you were on a six car train which has a capacity of 688 people our studies indicate that on average 648 people ride that train at that time. very sorry for any troubles you experienced this morning, etc." Just last week Metro North announced that ridership on New Haven line was up substantially. BS. I am confident they released that report to soften the blow they were going to take at the recent meeting in Stamford concerning overcrowding and the revised winter schedule. Metro North is an unregulated bureaucratic dinosaur. Mr. Malloy please help to bring some competency and some responsibility to this third world rail system. Starting in late Fall 2010, I began writing to Metro North regularly via their customer service email form. This was before the weather issues came into play. Each day I would write and tell them the on New Haven line were overcrowded with people standing in the aisles. Again this is before the weather issues. Metro North would respond with a daily form letter that went like this:

“Dear Diane, thanks for writing sorry for any problems, you were on a six car train which has a capacity of 688 people our studies indicate that on average 648 people ride that train at that time. very sorry for any troubles you experienced this morning, etc.”

Just last week Metro North announced that ridership on New Haven line was up substantially. BS. I am confident they released that report to soften the blow they were going to take at the recent meeting in Stamford concerning overcrowding and the revised winter schedule. Metro North is an unregulated bureaucratic dinosaur. Mr. Malloy please help to bring some competency and some responsibility to this third world rail system.

]]> Comment on Connecticut Rail Commuter Council to hold forum on Winter of Woes on Feb. 16 by Peter http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2011/02/05/connecticut-rail-commuter-council-to-hold-forum-on-winter-of-woes-on-feb-16/#comment-217 Peter Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:23:13 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=170#comment-217 I would love to attend but can't guarantee the train to Stamford will arrive on time. I would love to attend but can’t guarantee the train to Stamford will arrive on time.

]]> Comment on About Martin Cassidy by Martin Cassidy http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/about-martin-cassidy/#comment-135 Martin Cassidy Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:13:21 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?page_id=2#comment-135 People are everywhere? People are everywhere?

]]> Comment on About Martin Cassidy by Jeff http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/about-martin-cassidy/#comment-133 Jeff Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:52:45 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?page_id=2#comment-133 The best coffee is from those crappy little coffee carts. I commute from Bridgeport to GCT every day. Sometimes the ride is just perfectly fine, especially when there is a bar car on the way home. However, most times people just piss me off to no end. Take a look at the police blotter on the MTA for instance! It's not just the train either. It's driving, and walking too. They are everywhere!! How about when the train breaks down?? UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH! Release Your Rage! The best coffee is from those crappy little coffee carts.

I commute from Bridgeport to GCT every day. Sometimes the ride is just perfectly fine, especially when there is a bar car on the way home. However, most times people just piss me off to no end. Take a look at the police blotter on the MTA for instance! It’s not just the train either. It’s driving, and walking too. They are everywhere!! How about when the train breaks down?? UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!

Release Your Rage!

]]> Comment on MTA Police arrest log for the period of 7/12 to 7/23 by MTA Police arrest log for the period of 7/12 to 7/23 – Commuter Age – Connecticut News « TransitCop http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/08/02/mta-police-arrest-log-for-the-period-of-712-to-723/#comment-92 MTA Police arrest log for the period of 7/12 to 7/23 – Commuter Age – Connecticut News « TransitCop Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:44:30 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=96#comment-92 [...] MTA Police arrest log for the period of 7/12 to 7/23 – Commuter Age – Connecticut News. [...] [...] MTA Police arrest log for the period of 7/12 to 7/23 – Commuter Age – Connecticut News. [...]

]]> Comment on American Automobile Association’s marking national Child Seat Week by Martin Cassidy http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/09/14/american-automobile-associations-marking-national-child-seat-week/#comment-88 Martin Cassidy Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:48:42 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=117#comment-88 I was recently trying to determine which police/fire departments still provide the service, and I don't know about Norwalk yet. I've heard Darien Police might. This link has a list of police and fire departments that have offered the service in the past, and you can try calling them to see if they still do the installations by appointment. <a href="http://ctsafekids.com/fittingstations.htm" rel="nofollow">http://ctsafekids.com/fittingstations.htm</a> The AAA will next do a clinic in Stamford will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, October 12, at the Belltown Volunteer Fire Department, 8 Dorlen Road. To make an appointment for that or another AAA clinic you can call 203-765-4222 x 3142. I was recently trying to determine which police/fire departments still provide the service, and I don’t know about Norwalk yet. I’ve heard Darien Police might.
This link has a list of police and fire departments that have offered the service in the past, and you can try calling them to see if they still do the installations by appointment.
http://ctsafekids.com/fittingstations.htm
The AAA will next do a clinic in Stamford will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, October 12, at the Belltown Volunteer Fire Department, 8 Dorlen Road.
To make an appointment for that or another AAA clinic you can call 203-765-4222 x 3142.

]]> Comment on American Automobile Association’s marking national Child Seat Week by mark http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/09/14/american-automobile-associations-marking-national-child-seat-week/#comment-87 mark Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:38:34 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=117#comment-87 Martin, We live in Norwalk. Where can we go or call to get our child seats checked? Thanks, Mark Martin,

We live in Norwalk. Where can we go or call to get our child seats checked?

Thanks,
Mark

]]> Comment on Transportation Strategy Board comes to Norwalk next week by Bob http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/06/15/transportation-strategy-board-comes-to-norwalk-next-week/#comment-52 Bob Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:12:08 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=81#comment-52 Let's hope Exit 14 is high on this list.... Let’s hope Exit 14 is high on this list….

]]> Comment on Royal Bank of Scotland adopts low-emission vehicle parking policy by Mike http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/06/07/royal-bank-of-scotland-adopts-low-emission-vehicle-parking-policy/#comment-49 Mike Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:46:45 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=79#comment-49 I used to work for another company in the Fairfield county area that also designated desired parking spots for owners of hybrid vehicles. It's a nice idea in theory, but more often than not other workers parked in those spots anyways (there was maybe 25-30 hybrid parking spots, only about 6-7 employees drove hybrid vehicles) and it aggrivated workers who were driving other economical vehicles that were not hybrids. I'm not sure that a nice parking spot at the office is motivation enough for someone to go hybrid, but if you designated parking for SUVs at spaces farthest from the office, that might change a few minds. I used to work for another company in the Fairfield county area that also designated desired parking spots for owners of hybrid vehicles. It’s a nice idea in theory, but more often than not other workers parked in those spots anyways (there was maybe 25-30 hybrid parking spots, only about 6-7 employees drove hybrid vehicles) and it aggrivated workers who were driving other economical vehicles that were not hybrids. I’m not sure that a nice parking spot at the office is motivation enough for someone to go hybrid, but if you designated parking for SUVs at spaces farthest from the office, that might change a few minds.

]]> Comment on State milling and resurfacing project on Interstate 95 begins Thursday by Mike http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/05/05/state-milling-and-resurfacing-project-on-interstate-95-begins-thursday/#comment-36 Mike Mon, 17 May 2010 02:17:59 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=54#comment-36 They should be throwing another lane in there while they're at it. The congestion just in the corridor from Stamford up to Westport is atrocious and thats without accidents or construction. They should be throwing another lane in there while they’re at it. The congestion just in the corridor from Stamford up to Westport is atrocious and thats without accidents or construction.

]]> Comment on iPhone developers and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority:Happily ever after? by Martin Cassidy http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/05/10/iphone-developers-and-the-metropolitan-transportation-authorityhappily-ever-after/#comment-30 Martin Cassidy Mon, 10 May 2010 18:00:24 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=58#comment-30 He says it will be out any day, but has only been awaiting approval in the App store since last Monday. He says it will be out any day, but has only been awaiting approval in the App store since last Monday.

]]> Comment on iPhone developers and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority:Happily ever after? by Chris Preovolos http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/05/10/iphone-developers-and-the-metropolitan-transportation-authorityhappily-ever-after/#comment-28 Chris Preovolos Mon, 10 May 2010 16:32:04 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=58#comment-28 When does StationStops 2.0 drop? Or has it already? Schoenfeld said he submitted it to Apple. When does StationStops 2.0 drop? Or has it already? Schoenfeld said he submitted it to Apple.

]]> Comment on State milling and resurfacing project on Interstate 95 begins Thursday by Gordon Shumway http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/05/05/state-milling-and-resurfacing-project-on-interstate-95-begins-thursday/#comment-26 Gordon Shumway Thu, 06 May 2010 02:30:51 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=54#comment-26 If it's anything like the mess this week north of Exit 16, we are in for a real disaster. Can someone explain why it takes over two months to mill, re-pave and re-stripe eight miles of four lane highway? Glad to see it happening but at what cost? If it’s anything like the mess this week north of Exit 16, we are in for a real disaster. Can someone explain why it takes over two months to mill, re-pave and re-stripe eight miles of four lane highway? Glad to see it happening but at what cost?

]]> Comment on About Martin Cassidy by Lisa http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/about-martin-cassidy/#comment-14 Lisa Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:32:01 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?page_id=2#comment-14 Nope, Oren's is no longer there. It was replaced a few months ago with a French-themed pastry shop. I think the best place for coffee in GCT is Joe. Nope, Oren’s is no longer there. It was replaced a few months ago with a French-themed pastry shop. I think the best place for coffee in GCT is Joe.

]]> Comment on Attention all Greenwich passengers: Thursday will bring slower boarding procedure to enable concrete tie replacement by MJ Young http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/03/24/thursday-will-bring-slower-boarding-procedure-to-enable-concrete-tie-replacement/#comment-7 MJ Young Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:45:40 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=21#comment-7 Travelers should not stand on the plates until the train comes to a stop, the passing train could knock the bridge over! I thought Concrete Ties had a much longer lifespan? Travelers should not stand on the plates until the train comes to a stop, the passing train could knock the bridge over!

I thought Concrete Ties had a much longer lifespan?

]]> Comment on About Martin Cassidy by Elizabeth Kim http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/about-martin-cassidy/#comment-5 Elizabeth Kim Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:33:25 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?page_id=2#comment-5 It's Oren's Daily Roast, which, last time I checked, was located near the entrance facing 42nd Street. Years ago, I used to grab a coffee au lait there every morning amid a crush of fatigued commuters. It’s Oren’s Daily Roast, which, last time I checked, was located near the entrance facing 42nd Street. Years ago, I used to grab a coffee au lait there every morning amid a crush of fatigued commuters.

]]> Comment on Transportation Committee to mull latest border tolling proposal by John Bowman http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/03/11/transportation-committee-to-mull-latest-border-tolling-bill/#comment-4 John Bowman Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:39:09 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=11#comment-4 Great Blog Martin, One thing that particularly annoyed me about Rep. Guerrera's latest attempt at tolling is that he just dismissed the idea of cars diverting off the highway, saying "people who want to get from point A to point B won’t mind paying $3.” He ignored the findings in that $1MM study that said, for example, 14,000 cars/day would divert in Greenwich alone. Not surprised he would avoid talking about that; more surprised that no one, in the press or publicly in the legislature, has called him on it. Tolls will be a disaster, here's my GT blog post on the subject, which includes links to the study and my testimony before the TSB in Norwalk. http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/2010/02/21/tolls-ruin-byram/ Great Blog Martin,
One thing that particularly annoyed me about Rep. Guerrera’s latest attempt at tolling is that he just dismissed the idea of cars diverting off the highway, saying “people who want to get from point A to point B won’t mind paying $3.” He ignored the findings in that $1MM study that said, for example, 14,000 cars/day would divert in Greenwich alone. Not surprised he would avoid talking about that; more surprised that no one, in the press or publicly in the legislature, has called him on it. Tolls will be a disaster, here’s my GT blog post on the subject, which includes links to the study and my testimony before the TSB in Norwalk.
http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/2010/02/21/tolls-ruin-byram/

]]> Comment on Transportation Committee to mull latest border tolling proposal by Martin Cassidy http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/03/11/transportation-committee-to-mull-latest-border-tolling-bill/#comment-3 Martin Cassidy Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:52:03 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=11#comment-3 Dear Mr. Young, The institution of tolls would require a waiver from the Federal Highway Administration, and would likely impact Connecticut's eligibility for a share of federal transportation funds. Current federal regulations require that any revenue raised via tolls on state highways be restricted to improvements of that road. So for instance, money raised by tolls on Interstate 95 couldn't be used to buy rail cars. It would be possible for them to cut the gas and diesel taxes to off-set the impact of the tolls, and some politicians believe that would be the judicious thing to do. Sorry for the late response. Martin Cassidy Dear Mr. Young,
The institution of tolls would require a waiver from the Federal Highway Administration, and would likely impact Connecticut’s eligibility for a share of federal transportation funds.
Current federal regulations require that any revenue raised via tolls on state highways be restricted to improvements of that road. So for instance, money raised by tolls on Interstate 95 couldn’t be used to buy rail cars.
It would be possible for them to cut the gas and diesel taxes to off-set the impact of the tolls, and some politicians believe that would be the judicious thing to do.
Sorry for the late response.
Martin Cassidy

]]> Comment on Transportation Committee to mull latest border tolling proposal by MJ Young http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/2010/03/11/transportation-committee-to-mull-latest-border-tolling-bill/#comment-2 MJ Young Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:46:32 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/cassidy/?p=11#comment-2 Will the Federal government ask for some of the toll revenue. The feds pay a high proportion of operations of the Interstate highway system. What about the revebue collected from Gas and Diesel taxes? Do we get a rebate on those? Will the Federal government ask for some of the toll revenue. The feds pay a high proportion of operations of the Interstate highway system.

What about the revebue collected from Gas and Diesel taxes? Do we get a rebate on those?

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