For a lot of New Jerseyans, we take the train or the bus into the city for work or fun. Leaving our cars at home and boarding the closest local transit we can. For some, of us we have buses and trains in their town or city. Others are not as lucky and have to first drive several towns over to the nearest train station or bus stop. Also many have concern over how safe these transit options are. After the recent Hoboken train crash, also news came out that smart control has yet to be put on many train lines throughout the state. However this time of year many of will board the train to see a holiday show or the tree at Rockefeller center. But in the back of mind's we still hope it will be uneventful.
The biggest percentage of people using transit is commuters who travel five days a week to their jobs. For those who take the bus,the Port Authority Bus Terminal is where you end your trip. The building is old and dirty and lawmakers are trying to get a new building put up. The fight, however, is ongoing and no official word yet on when a new building could be coming. With no timetable, anyone who travels here during the holiday season should expect delays and long lines no matter what time of day it is.
If you take the train into the city from north jersey you transfer at Secaucus Junction and then Arrive at Penn station New York. Otherwise, you stop at Secaucus and watch the train full to capacity. The once grand Penn Station has fallen under repair. Another historic transportation spot that needs desperate improvement. News has that a new terminal may be rebuilt across the street. However, just like Port authority, no official news on it has been announced expect a recent article about fixing the Long Island Rail Road wing on the Gothamist news site. Also in the way is news that the tunnel between the two states needs to not only be repaired but replaced.
The transit agency has not had a safe year. Several bus crashes this year have resulted in at least one death and several injuries.The worse accident this year is the Hoboken train crash. One woman was killed on the platform as debris fell on her. Hundreds of others were hurt when the train hit a wall at the Hoboken train station. The accident is still under investigation, and we still do not know what the conductor was doing at the time of the crash. Some blame sleep apnea but no official word is out. The agency is still looking into what happened.
I do not want to discourage anyone from taking transit anywhere. It still is cheaper and more time consuming than driving into the city. Also, I will be back on the train going to hockey and basketball games all season. But always be watchful and smart, and be courteous and nice. Make the trip enjoyable and safe for everyone.
