Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/news/transportation)
Road, train and other news related to transportation
My usual beat is writing about transportation. And some of you, faithful readers, often tell me I’m too negative and cynical. That might be true. So how’s this for a change? We all know these are stressful times. Continue Reading →
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to work for the railroad? That’s what Paul Holland did for 39 years, first with Amtrak, later with Conrail and finally as a conductor on Metro-North. His self-published “My Life As A Rear End” pays tribute to his time in cabooses, but it’s his commuter rail stories that kept me laughing. (more…) Continue Reading →
With the passenger volume on Metro-North trains now down 94%, and volumes down an overall 90 percent on all Metropolitan Transportation Authority trains, subways or buses, the MTA, which includes Metro-North, announced Wednesday that it’s cutting back service, including restricting the New Haven Line schedule. The new schedule starts this Friday, March 27. Except at “peak” times, trains will be arriving at stations only once an hour, the MTA said. (more…) Continue Reading →
First Selectman Jayme Stevenson early Monday afternoon issued a town “State of Emergency” order that closes all town playgrounds, the buildings at both town train stations, winter Park & Recreation Department programs and “all nonessential municipal meetings.” (more…) Continue Reading →
You can’t beat the convenience of on-demand ride services like Uber and Lyft, but wouldn’t it be great if a similar ride-sharing service was available locally and for free? (more…) Continue Reading →
Maybe the NoTollsCT folks (and the recent Hearst editorial) are right: The current toll proposal should be scrapped. Mind you, I’m still pro-tolls and have been for years, but the governor’s latest plan is so insipid and compromised as to be a waste of time. (more…) Continue Reading →
Wednesday Feb. 26 is Ash Wednesday and clergy from St. Luke’s Parish will be at the Noroton Heights Ttrain Station from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. to offer commuters “Ashes to Go.” (more…) Continue Reading →
“Buckle up, folks. There’s some bumpy air ahead,” the pilot said on a recent flight. No need to remind me; my seat belt is always fastened, as “bumpy air” — a euphemism for air turbulence — is my worst fear in flying. It’s the whole “fear of death” thing. (more…) Continue Reading →
Trains make noise, especially when they blow their horns entering stations and at grade crossings. But for folks who live near the railroad branch lines, which have dozens of such crossings, the noise is too much. (more…) Continue Reading →
The sewer project previously announced for the northeast area of town has been postponed from this week to next week, the Darien Department of Public Works announced, and the department announced another project downtown for that same week. The new downtown project is on a part of Center Street nearest to Old Kings Highway South. (more…) Continue Reading →
Remember Rodney Dangerfield, the comedian always complaining that he “gets no respect”? That’s how Waterbury line commuters (and local officials) feel. Their little branch line gets no respect. (more…) Continue Reading →
The new year will bring some big changes at Greater Bridgeport Transit: The introduction of two new, all-electric buses to the fleet. (more…) Continue Reading →
Area residents are invited to a public meeting about noise from train horns on the New Canaan Branch, state Rep. Matt Blumenthal has announced. The Jan. 27 meeting at the Harry Bennett Branch of Ferguson Library in Springdale, will include state Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti, representatives from the state Transportation Department and from Metro-North Railroad as well as state legislators. (more…) Continue Reading →
State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti is about to finish his first year on the job and his plate is more than full. It’s overflowing with controversy. (more…) Continue Reading →
The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear objections to a lawsuit against Metro-North by a Darien widow after her husband fell onto the train tracks in 2013 and was hit by an oncoming train at the Noroton Heights station. (more…) Continue Reading →