On today’s INSIDER, I’ll discuss delivery delays plaguing the R211 order and why they shouldn’t preclude service increases. I’ll also explain why the remaining updates for v1.0.0 v0.8.0 of the enhanced NYC subway are taking so long.
NYTIP – transforming commuter rail: introducing regional rail by leveraging weekend ridership
Welcome back to my NYTIP series! This post serves as my brand-new introduction to “regional rail” improvements on NY’s commuter rail systems – Metro-North (MNR), Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and NJ Transit (NJT). Many advocates – myself included – use the term “regional rail” to describe systemwide improvements such as lower fares (and fewer fare zones), service increases, and “through running”; an excellent report by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) describes each of these elements in detail.
While it’s true that COVID-19 has decimated weekday commuter rail ridership in NY, a different picture is beginning to emerge on weekends:
[Figs. 1, 2] Screenshots from MTA’s website taken on 10.14.2022 showing MNR and LIRR ridership over the last 7 days.
That’s right – weekend commuter rail ridership has not only fully recovered – it is now exceeding pre-pandemic levels! Surprisingly, I have not heard MTA or local politicians highlight or celebrate this fact. (If they did, I must’ve missed it.) In this post, I will explore ideas for using these weekend ridership gains to jump-start regional rail improvements in – and through – NY.
[Let’s begin!]NYTIP – enhancing the nyc subway: the broadway/jamaica line
Welcome back to my NYTIP series! In my updated South Brooklyn redesign post, I proposed a J extension to Bay Parkway. How would that extension affect J service in North Brooklyn and Queens? I will discuss that in this post.
[Let’s close the loop!]NYTIP INSIDER – enhancing the enhanced NYC subway
UPDATE (03.05.2022): Post lightly edited for clarity.
On this edition of the NYTIP INSIDER, I will discuss forthcoming updates to the enhanced NYC Subway that provide even greater improvements over the status quo.
[Read On!]session 2 – the waters weep
A poem by nerdy.nel.
[read it and weep]session 1 – the tears we shed
the thoughts that pulse inside my head
won’t bring me back to days of dread
the light that shone from depth to breadth
shall shine once more past tears I shed
NYTIP INSIDER – all aboard the RR train!
UPDATE (03.13.2022): Images now reflect v0.7.0 of the enhanced NYC subway.
You might’ve noticed that I’ve temporarily unpublished most of my subway extension posts. The main reason is my evolving stance on regional rail – a hot topic in the transport advocacy space and on Transit Twitter. Find out what this means for NYTIP on this edition of the INSIDER!
[Read On…]nerdy.nel’s new rochelle transportation improvement plan (NROTIP)
Welcome everyone! If you’ve read my blog over the last few years, you know I’m working on a personal project called NYTIP. While work on that project continues, I’d like to devote a miniseries to my current locale, New Rochelle. Introducing NROTIP (pronounced NEW-ro-TIP) – a collection of ideas for improving transport, walking, and biking in New Rochelle!
[Read on…]