Re: (erielack) Re: Pocono service

["Roy W. Scheckermann" <"rwscheckermann_@_worldnet.att.net">]

Tupaczewski, Paul R (Paul) wrote:
> 
> > Why don't they take the High Bridge train? Too long. Or
> > Hacketstown. Too far
> > east to drive. Go figure.
> >
> > Still, they are itching for train service to be returned, not just for
> > convenience, but because they beleive that it's gonna make
> > their houses worth
> > more. One bought a house out near Glen Gardner in the belief
> > that the service
> > would return (now that's faith!) and thus eventually she'd
> > make a killing when
> > she sold to Wall Streeter seeking a weekend getaway...
> >
> > I bet there are many more like this...
> 
> This really irks me! All these people, clamoring for train service, but no
> one will use it! Look at the "newly restored" Hackettstown service - only a
> handful of riders daily. And they're talking about extending service to
> Washington, NJ! What, for another 10 people a day?
> 
> *UGH*  -- This is why I fear some of these line restorations - will the
> "predicted" ridership really pan out? I'd certainly like it to, but that
> hasn't proven to be the case in many circumstances recently...
> 
>         - Paul
> 


Paul,

	I agree with you in general concerning these rail restorations. 
I continually here about restoring passenger service on the old Reading 
line between Bound Brook and Trenton but will there really be enough 
riders to justify it?  In my opinion I believe that potential new riders 
want train service to be close to their home, fast and CHEAP.  So they 
will answer survays in the affirmative but will not drive out of their 
way or take the 'long' commute.  Of course that touches the subject of 
NIMBY's but lets not go in that direction.  As for long commutes, we are 
married to our SUVs etc. and the freedom it gives us to go where and 
when we please, and also to run the slower drivers off the road.  That 
attitude really needs to be reviewed, especially here in New Jersey 
because of its population density.  Unfortunely I have not seen or heard 
of any plans to provide reverse or cross county commuting, i.e. anyone 
not traveling to Newark or New York.  Until that changes we will 
continue to see rail expansion for 10 riders.

Roy

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