Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/opinion)
There is perhaps no more beautiful part of the East Coast than the Canadian Maritimes: the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. (more…) Continue Reading →
International aviation is about to face a crisis: a shortage of pilots. (more…) Continue Reading →
Do you ever wonder how trains move on a busy line like the New Haven division of Metro-North? How do they switch from track to track, make their scheduled stops and try to stay on schedule? (more…) Continue Reading →
What country has the largest interstate highway system in the world? Hint: It’s not the United States. What country has the most miles of high-speed rail? Hint: It’s not France or Japan. (more…) Continue Reading →
Last spring, Japanese railroad officials apologized for a huge mistake: one of their trains left a station 25 seconds early! This was the second time such an egregious error had been made and I imagine that the offenders were severely disciplined. (more…) Continue Reading →
In the “land of steady habits,” we don’t fix problems — we study them, over and over again. (more…) Continue Reading →
There is possibly no more beautiful railroad station in the world than New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. As the destination of more than 55,000 daily rail commuters from Connecticut, it’s a place where many of us spend a fair amount of time. (more…) Continue Reading →
Looking for a summer day trip to find some fun that will teach your kids about transportation? Just hop a Metro-North train (or drive, if you must) to the Danbury Railway Museum. (more…) Continue Reading →
“Why don’t we just ban all trucks from our interstate highways in rush hour?”
A mayor of a small Fairfield County town recently asked me this question. He’s a smart guy who obviously had given a lot of thought to resolving our traffic woes and believed he had the answer to the transportation crisis. (more…) Continue Reading →
I used to believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and politicians. I actually thought the first two brought me gifts and the latter cared about me and my community. Well, those days are gone. (more…) Continue Reading →
Imagine being afraid to ride the bus, or being unable to read a timetable. Can you think of what your life would be like without access to a car or mass transit? (more…) Continue Reading →
Is it hot enough for ya? Even if you don’t believe it’s caused by humans, there is no doubt our planet is heating up. And as global warming increases, so will our travel problems. (more…) Continue Reading →
How did Americans develop their love affair with driving? Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington and the transportation exhibit “America on the Move” will sell you on the commonly held theory that when Henry Ford made cars affordable, Americans loved them and demanded more and more highways. (more…) Continue Reading →
Birthdays are special days, and America’s birthday is the most special of all! July 4th reminds us we’re not meant to be divided into red and blue states, but united in red, white and blue states. (more…) Continue Reading →
True confession (as if you didn’t know): I am a rail fan. But don’t call me a “foamer!” People who love trains come in all shapes and sizes, but “foamer” is a term they universally hate. (more…) Continue Reading →