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Message |
    
buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 1157
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 10:22 am: |     |
I am thinking of changing back to the Penn Station train (I have been taking the luxury train to Hoboken).
What is the scene on the 7.45? Seats? Standing room? Super crowd? Lots-o-delays?
Thanks for helping.
There is. |
Spare_o
Citizen
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 4
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 1:02 pm: | |
I recently started taking the 7:44 AM to Penn after moving to Maplewood in August 2003. It is generally very crowded and there are usually people left standing in the front cars. Most days though I do get a middle seat. I found that there are more seats at the back of the train, however, there are larger crowds on the platform at Penn trying to to exit via the one escalator. Recently there have been delays of about 15 minutes, probably related to the cold weather. Maybe it's just me, but the combination of delays and standing leave me with cold feet upon arrival at Penn. |
rckymtn
Citizen
Username: Rckymtn
Post Number: 221
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 1:23 pm: | |
7:44, IMHO, sucks.
I was listening on the radio this morning to all the Metro North commuters complaining because their trains are shorter and some get cancelled -- one guy said, poor me, I missed the 7:09 and had to wait til the 7:22.
What I'd give for a train to NY every 13 minutes. This every 30-45 minute business is silly. |
buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 1158
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 3:17 pm: | |
Thanks
Think I'll stick with the Hoboken.
There is. |
gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 315
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 9:25 am: | |
Can someone refresh my memory? Weren't we supposed to be getting double-decker trains this year? I, too, have been taking the Hoboken train to avoid the crowding, but this week, also ended up standing. I get on the train at 6:45AM and I can barely stand the way it is at that hour! |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4414
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 9:34 am: | |
Because of train and ferry problems I have taken Midtown Direct a couple of times over the last week. To be honest, I don't know how you folks stand it!
The trains are overcrowded, make two or three more stops than the Hoboken trains do and take for ever to unload at the stations. On the Hoboken line passengers get up before the train stops and line up to get off paratrooper style. On MDT it seems nobody even thinks about getting up until the train stops, even if they have to walk back three cars to get off at South Orange. |
buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 1160
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 9:50 am: | |
many moons ago we were slated to get the double decker trains 2004-5. Now I think it is like 2008. Don't hold yer breath. They can't even work the intercoms.
The hoboken line is like the grey poupon of the train services.
There is. |
Copperfield
Citizen
Username: Copperfield
Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 11:04 am: | |
FWIW- The Montclair trains into and out of Penn Station are usually pretty empty.
About 1/3 as many people as on our MTD trains.
Surprising, because so many NYers seem to be moving there, but that hasn't translated into train commuters.
Maybe we'll get the prime slots into and out of Penn again once NJT figures that out. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2698
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 3:01 pm: | |
What's the next midtown direct after 7:44 am? |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2699
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 3:05 pm: | |
08:13 AM - MNEG 08:31 AM - MNE NEWARK(BROAD ST.) 8:55 AM
This was online at NJT. Does this mean if I take the 8:13 I have to get off at Broad St. and wait for another train? |
algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1593
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 3:17 pm: | |
Mem -- the next midtown direct is arount 8:30
a lot of people take a 8:11 (I think) and switch in SO to a midtown direct -- it's a bit quicker.
|
ligeti
Citizen
Username: Ligeti
Post Number: 60
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 4:39 pm: | |
Yeah, what is about the intercoms on the MTD? Do the guys that make these announcements have any idea what they sound like? Screechy and incomprehensible. They torture rats in labs with these kinds of sounds.
And while I'm at it: what's the big mystery about whether doors are going to open or not? It seems like the conductors are just as clueless as the rest of us. I'm not talking about the center doors -- some end doors open at some stops, then not at others, no way to predict. Isn't there just ONE BUTTON that opens ALL the end doors? Like on all the rest of the trains in the world? Can't the conductors somehow find out which doors are going to open on their trains? Just open all of 'em for crissakes, cut the silly guessing games. I've been on trains all over the world, this is yet another weird NJ thing. |
Copperfield
Citizen
Username: Copperfield
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8:09 pm: | |
New to this, but is there a reason why there are no trains into Penn Station for about 45 minutes during prime time- from any of the stations it seems, from Summit to Newark Broad Street. (That 8:11 to SO and switch doesn't save a whole lot of time.)
I'm guessing that it's something to do with Amtrack needing the tunnels at that time and not letting NJT in, but it's pretty annoying.
Though I suspect if there was anything that could be done about it, the good burghers of Summit and Short Hills would have seen to it a long time ago. |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 448
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8:53 pm: | |
You can catch a Hoboken train from Maplewood and get off at Newark Broad Street. Catch the next NY Penn train. I do this alot. Just check the schedule booklet to see what's arriving and leaving from Newark. Sometimes I get a 9:02 AM and get to NY Penn at 9:18. |
vor
Citizen
Username: Vor
Post Number: 149
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 8:53 am: | |
Since our company moved downtown this past summer I've been taking the Hoboken train and the Wall St Ferry. It's been heaven. However since the East River looks like a polar glacier the Ferries have not been running, so I'm forced back to Penn St.
I took the 6:16 train home last night. What a nightmare. The train was late and of course they announce the track less then 5 minutes before it was to leave the station. That was annoying, but what was more annoying was the rude and aggressive commuters. For those of you who behave this way, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. I was appalled. Heaven forbid you did not get to sit on an aisle seat, and OMG if someone sits in the middle seat of a three seater. And then the most serious of all infractions, you have to STAND. CALL THE CONDUCTOR, no CALL THE POLICE, no CALL HOMELAND SECURITY. WHAT AN OUTRAGE, after all I'M ENTITLED.
Someone actually started yelling at a conductor because one of the doors was broken and didn't open.
I think I'll take the PATH from now on.
Now I feel better |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4490
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 9:20 am: | |
Vor, I feel your pain. 
I am really missing the ferry ride to Wall Street and either take the PATH the the WTC and walk to the Seaport or MTD to Penn and a subway downtown. I am tired, a grumpy old man and angry. One way or another I am spending an extra half hour a day commuting and the "culture" (or lack thereof) of MTD riders is totally different than us laid back Hoboken line folks.
The one good thing is I didn't buy the special three month NYWaterway ticket. LOL |
vor
Citizen
Username: Vor
Post Number: 151
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 9:40 am: | |
bobk
Neither did I, thanks only to the fact that they were giving out the free 10 trips with the Dec monthly.
I miss those summer nights taking the Ferry back to Hoboken when I had to work late. I would stand on the top deck and it felt like my own private yacht. The only thing missing was the cognac and the cigar. |
Copperfield
Citizen
Username: Copperfield
Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 4:25 pm: | |
>>You can catch a Hoboken train from Maplewood and get off at Newark Broad Street. Catch the next NY Penn train. I do this alot. Just check the schedule booklet to see what's arriving and leaving from Newark. Sometimes I get a 9:02 AM and get to NY Penn at 9:18.>>
You sure about that Maplewoody?
16 minutes from here to Penn Station?
Or do you mean 16 minutes from Newark Broad Street to Penn Station
My schedule shows a 9:01 out of Newark that gets into Penn Station at 9:21, but to catch that, I'd have to leave Mplwd at 8:40.
Also, there don't seem to be any trains arriving in Penn Station from either our line or the Montclair line between 8:16 and 8:55 - and I'm guessing there's a reason for that 40 minute gap at the height of rush hour.
Please enlighten me if I'm reading the schedule wrong - I'd love an 16 minute commute! |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 1877
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 4:56 pm: | |
This morning I left a little late, and went to S.O. to catch the 10:37 Midtown train. It was 20 minutes late arriving, crawled between Newark and Manhattan, and pulled into Penn Station at exactly 11:37.
One hour. I have to go into the city on Saturday and Sunday, and I think I'll drive, thanks. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 2395
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 5:08 pm: | |
I have found the trip into and out of lower Manhattan to be much more relaxing now that I have switched back from Midtown Direct to Hoboken service. No more worry about about getting a seat on either the NJT or PATH train. Reasonably predictable arrival and departure times. Assigned tracks. Conductors who actually wish you a good morning or good afternoon (time of day permitting) and treat you more like a guest than an inconvenience.
|
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 2396
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 7:35 pm: | |
Re limited Penn Station, NY Service during morning rush:
AMTRAK and LIRR own the station. NJT rtrains use the platforms there only when space is available. Ditto track and tunnel access. In addition, MTD (including Montclair Branch) is a recent addition to the NJT train lines using Penn Station, NY. There are three to four trains going to/from Trenton for every MTD train during morning and evening rush. There are also more trains heading to/from the line serving Bay Head. On the other hand we have many more trains going into/out of hoboken than those lines do. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 2397
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 7:42 pm: | |
Re doors:
Some of the equipment is old. Other equipment has broken doors but the cars still function and the railroad needs the seating capacity.
This morning I sat in the front car of the train. The front door was literally frozen shut (the drop panel over the stairs had frozen) and the car was built in such a way that there was no rear door at all. (We entered through another car.)
The conductor told us when we boarded that he would try to get the front door open with a crowbar before we got to Hoboken. He was true to his word and the front door opened with no problem when we reached Hoboken. You just don't get this kind of service on Midtown Direct. |
Copperfield
Citizen
Username: Copperfield
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 10:14 pm: | |
Joan - Thanks for the updates. You'd think with the heavy riderships we'd get at least one train that let people get into work closer to 9 AM (versus either 8:30 or 9:30)
As for conductors, some are very nice, some are downright nasty. In particular, a large angry dark-haired female conductor who rules the front of the 8:29 AM train. The other conductors on that train are so nice, and she is always incredibly nasty- yelling at people to hurry up and get off at Penn Station, harassing people about taking up too many seats to sit together (that train is pretty empty- space is never an issue.)
But like I said- she's about the worst- the others all range from very pleasant to disengaged. |
buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 1164
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 5, 2004 - 9:34 am: | |
thomas the tank engine would do a better job with this branch line.
was anyone on this train today ?
I have to ask, what clowns are running that circus. The year is 2004. Shouldn't these things actually "work".
There is. |
mim
Citizen
Username: Mim
Post Number: 315
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 5, 2004 - 10:17 am: | |
Yep, I was there -- all morning long, it seemed like! The train has been short a car all week, so many/most Maplewoodians have been standing every morning. Monday and Tuesday they apologized for the problem, but yesterday and today they didn't even show their faces to take tickets! We only saw the crew when they were working to restore power when the train broke down in the tunnel. It's been a bad week for NJT! |
mellie
Citizen
Username: Mellie
Post Number: 378
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 9, 2004 - 9:21 am: | |
vor - calm down - while I do note endorse rude commuters please realise that there is a great deal of frustration at the Fat Controller for being inept. Many people spend one or two hours a day commuting - or say 10 hours a week. So it is no surprise that being treated like cattle wears a bit.
Joan, who cares if Amtrak own the station - there is a contract between NJT and Amtrak that apparently reocgnizes that there is a train line called NJT who may occasionally use the station. The problem is that NJT does not think there is a problem. Warrington as more of a clue about this than De Libero though so I have some hope. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 2421
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 9, 2004 - 6:19 pm: | |
Mellie:
I don't know the full provisions of this "contract". Do you?
In practice, AMTRAK takes the attitude "It's my ball. play by my rules (which are subject to change with little or no notice) or you can't play at all." To make matters even worse, NJT doesn't have the immediate option of getting a ball of its own. |
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