Winners and Losers in the MTA Bailout

There are few winners and potentially many losers from last week's bailout of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, experts said.

After months of haggling, state leaders produced a $2.9-billion rescue plan they admit is deeply flawed.

Read more a Newsday.com.

Are YOU a Pain on the Train?

Did you ever stop to think that you might be annoying your fellow bus or train riders? Sure, we're all quick to find fault with a fellow passenger when we're the ones being inconvenienced. But have you examined your own behavior?

Check yourself with the help of our neighbors at Baruch College.

No More Ferry Between Rockland & NYC

If you've been enjoying ferry service between Rockland and Lower Manhattan, or were considering trading in your traffic-congested commute for a pleasant boat ride, you're going to be disappointed. Ferry service will discontinue on May 1st.

Runs from Yonkers may continue with reduced service.

Get the details here.

MTA Votes to Raise Fares, Cut Services

That's right, kids. Read it and weep.

New Ferry Terminal @ Vesey Street: A Waste?

The Port Authority opened its beautiful new ferry terminal at the World Financial Center yesterday. But was it an extravagant waste of money?

Commuters seem to feel the only plus is that it has a bathroom. Otherwise, it doesn't impact their commute for the better.

Find out how riders are weighing in at the New York Times.

New Tolls: Exempt City Residents?

That $1.2 million MTA operating budget gap still has to be dealt with -- and state legislators are volleying around some ideas.

A $5 proposed bridge toll has been recommended -- but Congressmember Anthony Weiner, a representative of parts of Brooklyn and Queens, is arguing on behalf of an already-cash-strapped middle class to exempt city residents from paying the toll, leaving the burden of the toll to outsiders driving in.

Read more about Weiner's four-step plan in the Queens Courier.

Commuters Want Train from Flemington to NYC

Once upon a time (almost 50 years ago), there was daily train service to NYC from Flemington, New Jersey. Up to 55 trains per day, in fact. But that ended when most of the tracks were torn up to build condos.

But now, a task force of community leaders self-named "The Traveling Circus" is making a serious effort at encouraging the restoration of rail services to NYC.

How likely are they to succeed? Read more at NJ.com.

NJ Commuters Flocking to PATH, Abandoning Buses

If you ride the PATH train, this probably will come as no surprise: business on PATH is booming. Ridership is waaaaaay up, resulting in an overcrowded, inhumane experience for almost everyone. On the flip side, bus services are seeing a huge decline in business. (Anyone want a seat?)

Read more at The Montclair Times.

Mock Funeral for G Subway Line

The MTA recently announced service cuts on the G subway line -- and in response, The Straphangers Campaign held a funeral for the G at the Coutr Square Station in Queens -- complete with bagpipes.

Find out what other lines are headed for the grave here. Will your commute be affected?

The Congestion Pricing Plan, Revised.

Last spring, Mayor Bloomberg proposed an $8 "congestion fee" for drivers entering certain parts of Manhattan. But the plan had its flaws.

State Senator Daniel Squadron has stepped up and proposed a "smarter" version of congestion pricing, noting that similar programs are working with success in other cities around the world.

Find out how this plan is different, and reasons why you should support a congestion fee, in the Gotham Gazette.

5 French Hookers in Brooklyn Subway Station

Subway advertising is routinely reviewed for racy content. But this time, they let full-frontal nudity slide when five naked babes got hung in the spotlight at Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street subway stations. Find out why in the New York Times.

Tappan Zee Bridge Repairs to Continue

Use the Tappan Zee for your commute?

The New York State Thruway Authority announced that routine repairs on the Tappan Zee Bridge will continue today, Monday, February 2 through Friday, February 6, during off-peak travel times.

Get the whole story here.

Improving Fulton St. Station

Ever complain to yourself (or for that matter, someone else) that the Fulton Street subway station makes you feel like a rat in one of those cheese mazes?

Ah! But change is coming! Read it in the New York Times.

Metro-North Parking in Orange Co. Gets Changes

Do you take Metro-North from stations in Orange County? Have you been unhappy with certain aspects of the station parking lot, including snow removal or other maintenance?

Take heart. The management company for those lots will be changing as of April 1, 2009.

Read more.

Are YOU a Pain on the Train?

Did you ever stop to think that you might be annoying your fellow bus or train riders? Sure, we're all quick to find fault with a fellow passenger when we're the ones being inconvenienced. But have you examined your own behavior?

Check yourself with the help of our neighbors at Baruch College.

Share Cab with a Stranger to Save $$$?

Enjoy the conveniences of taking taxis, but the meter's taking too big a bite out of your wallet?

You may not have to forego the luxury completely. Mayor Bloomberg is proposing a system of cab-sharing stations throughout the city.

Read more in the New York Times.

Rail Tunnel Gets OK from Feds

On Wednesday, the federal government issued final approval for a second commuter rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River, clearing the way for a project transportation officials and lawmakers say will create thousands of jobs, take cars off the roads and make commuting easier for hundreds of thousands of people.

Read more at the Star-Ledger.

Free MetroCards from Dunkin' Donuts

As part of its new "You Kin Do It!" campaign (which encourages working stiffs like you and me to keep America running during the current economic crisis), Dunkin’ Donuts is handing out free subway rides at four Manhattan subway stations.

DD reps will hand out free Metrocards between 6:30 am - 9:30 am on the following dates, outside these stations:

Monday, January 12th @ Lexington Ave/ 53rd Street
Tuesday, January 20th @ 14th Street/ Union Square Station
Monday, January 26th @ Grand Central Station
Monday, February 2nd @ Times Square/42nd Street

Metro-North Unveils Bike Rack Ideas

Cyclists from Connecticut, Westchester County and Long Island got a first look Tuesday at a custom-made bicycle rack system being considered for the new rail cars on Metro-North's New Haven Line.

Get a look at the prototype and read all about it at The Advocate.

New Park & Ride Bus Service, Nassau to NYC

Starting today, the Long Island Transit Bus Company is offering a Park and Ride bus program from Nassau to Manhattan to help ease road and rail congestion. The coach buses will take commuters to Wall Street and Midtown from two locations in Nassau County where free parking is offered. Get the details here.