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papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 614
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 1:22 pm: | 
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If you've taken the 7:01am train into NY or the 5:20pm train home from Penn Station, you must know Bob, the conductor. He's an older steely-haired gentleman (as in older than most of the other conductors/asst conductors), and he knows many of the passengers by name. He's one of the only people that works for the entire NJ Transit establishment that always does the right thing.
Last week, i left my cell phone on the seat of the evening train from Penn Station, and didn't realize it until i got home. An hour later, my father called me from Edison to ask if my phone was missing. (?) A passenger had given it to Bob, who then called my address book entry for "Mom & Dad" to get it back to its rightful owner. He gave my dad his home phone number so that i could arrange to get it back the next day. Even more admirable, my phone had gotten wet a few days earlier, and now the entire screen appears backwards. So Bob had to hold the phone up to a mirror to figure out who to even call.
Considering my husband has left belongings on the 2am train to Dover when there were practically no other passengers even there to find them, and they never made their way to the NJT lost and found, it's way cool to have somebody that really digs his job and does it well. Thanks Bob!
(Now i just wish there was a Bob over at Verizon who would let me in on the "New Every Two" deal 6 weeks early.) |
mim
Citizen
Username: Mim
Post Number: 669
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 1:58 pm: |
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Bob IS great. He has brought sunshine into my life on MANY occasions. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1611
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 2:33 pm: |
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I love Bobby! I take the 5:20 home every night and sit in the very front of the train, where he collects tickets. He ROCKS. Many a time I've seen him ask a rude passenger to take his/her stuff off a seat to make room for another...he's just generally a great guy who knows his regulars and makes an effort to take care of us. And i like the reliability of seeing him. I think he was on vacation a week or two ago, and I missed him! |
frannyfree
Citizen
Username: Frannyfree
Post Number: 221
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 3:34 pm: |
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My sister and I rode the train together for many years. Bob is a joy. A smile every day. At Christmas time he has a party for everyone that rides the first car. He pays for it himself. We always looked forward to riding with Bob. It made the commute a special time of the day.
Now we work in NJ and believe it or not, we both miss the time on the train with Bob. I was in my new store one day last spring when the phone rang. It was Bob. He said he found my card in his wallet and just called to tell me that he missed seeing me and my sister on the train.
This is one man that "gets it". That life is what you make it.
Someone that still rides the train should tell him to read this thread on mol. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1613
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:15 pm: |
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Better yet, someone should print this out and send it to NJ Transit so they can officially commend Bobby! The man deserves it (not that he does any of this for personal gain). |
buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 5478
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:16 pm: |
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I hate to seal Bob's thunder
but if you take the Hoboken line
the "orange orange orange" guy is tops! |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 3033
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:17 pm: |
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buzzsaw, I agree! But now we have that lady who lectures you....I mean, she's doing her job but a little too attitudinally. Mr. Orange is a sweetie. |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 2141
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:18 pm: |
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Orange Station!
Orange Orange Orange! |
spol
Citizen
Username: Spol
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:36 pm: |
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I used to take the Orange Orange Orange train as well! Now I'm on the 8:14 every morning to the Boken, and I actually kind of miss that. What train is he on? |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 615
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:44 pm: |
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One of those days a few months ago when the NY train lost power at Secaucus and i had to switch to a Hoboken-bound train, i stood next to another really nice conductor. He helped me and my husband squeeze in the last two available spaces, and chatted with us the whole way into the station about the new double-decker cars that are coming, and how even though the cars are ready, they won't be in service for at least another year or two because they're having to retrofit Penn Station to accomodate them. He also told me how conductors get docked their pay if they're caught not wearing their hats.
I wish i could remember his name. He was tall. But no Bob. |
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1596
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:59 pm: |
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Many of the regular conductors are great that way. I left my backpack on the 8:29 twice in one month (not my regular train, I'm only taking it on those super tired mornings).
The first time my cell phone rang as I walked into the office. It's the conductor who has my bag, and who waited around at Penn to give it back to me personally.
The second time I realized it about a block north of Penn. Headed back to my track, but the train was already empty and the doors were locked. So I went back upstairs and found a group of conductors. Sure enough the conductor who was on my car was one of them and had my bag in his hands.
Thanks guys so much. |
Nancy - LibraryLady
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3744
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 5:01 pm: |
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My sister-in-law's brother-in-law is named Bob, works for NJ Transit and is an older steel haired gentleman.I sent her a link to this thread and will find out if we are talking abput THE Bob. and let you know. FWIW, this Bob is wonderful as well. |
Lou
Citizen
Username: Flf
Post Number: 217
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 11:40 pm: |
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I wish I knew Bob.
But I do love orange-orange-orange-guy!
 |
tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 358
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 12:46 pm: |
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I stopped commuting in 2003.....yes, I loved Bob, too. He made it worthwhile taking the early train by being a ray of sunshine in the morning. He really exemplifies customer service.
The tall conductor on the 7:39 (or whatever it is now) is also nice, although a bit more reserved. He has a nice voice over the speakers. He was also profiled in the newspaper, not sure which one (SL or NYT)
NJT needs more employees like these 2 gentlemen. |
jab
Citizen
Username: Jab
Post Number: 595
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 3:46 pm: |
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When we visited Maplewood for the first time about six months before moving from the city, we headed out on a weekend train. When we handed our tickets to the conductor, he said: "Maplewood. You're gonna love it." Foreshadowing? |
mim
Citizen
Username: Mim
Post Number: 672
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 4:12 pm: |
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I like the tall guy too, tabby, and recall the NYT piece about him. When he announces that 'we'll be goin' up on Amtrak,' it makes commuting sound like a great adventure!
But Bob's announcents really make my day. One afternoon he let us know his daughter had been admitted to medical school! Another day, after the computerized voice made a mistake, he came on and said, 'Millie, you're fired!'
He often lets his regulars know the platform in advance too, which is a blessing when the station is crowded. |
Rosiegirl
Citizen
Username: Rosiegirl
Post Number: 8
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 8:27 pm: |
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I ADORE Bob!!!!! He is a daily reminder of everything that is good and right in this world. He always has a smile on his face and always tries to make others smile as well. About a year ago, shortly after I started taking his train regularly, the MegaMillions was really huge. I don't know how we got on the topic, but next thing you know, he gives me $5 so we could go in on $10 worth of tickets together. This kept going on for a few days. I was overwhelmed that he trusted me, a total stranger, to buy lottery tickets. I did, but unfortunately we didn't win. I don't know anyone who deserves to hit it big more than Bob. He is a kind man who is the "Mayor" of his train. I DREAD the day he retires or I stop working in the city. |
pcs81632
Citizen
Username: Pcs81632
Post Number: 92
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 9:20 pm: |
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I do have to agree with the comments about Bob, Orange Orange Orange, and the tall NYT guy. They are all pros.
Bob has even come up to me when I'm standing, to let me know a seat came available in the next car!!!
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Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1826
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 8:47 am: |
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Bob is the BEST!
I first met Bob 12 years ago when he did the Hoboken route before the MidTown Direct arrived. Every morning is a pleasure. He welcomed everyone with a smile, a bit of chit chat and comic relief.
Even though I take an earlier train now, I happened to be on the 5:20 the other day and he came over to say, "where have you've been stranger?" and gave me a hug.
Thats my Bob. He never forgets ya! BTW… most of the conductors I've encounter have been courteous! |
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