Amtrak's Ugly Step Sister...

No secret why Madison has it's charms, and consequently its dangers: proximity to New York City. The cost of living is high because many of us work and commute in the Big Apple. Since NJTransit has the Midtown Direct train, we all pay a premium for the convenience. 

Problem is, more and more I debate how convenient it is.  Nevermind the $11 (gulp) one-way ticket.  I am talking about the delays, customer service indifference, and, sorry, the disrespectful commuters.

On the occasion I catch the 8 a.m. train, all of these characteristics are on full display.  Usually the train moves freely until just after Newark.  At that point, it crawls along waiting for every Amtrak train in the Northeast to make its way by.  Sometime after 9 a.m. we pull into Penn Station.

Should there be a delay, other than that normal one, far be it for ANY of the NJT staff to alert its paying customers to potential issues.  Why should we know?

Not that many of us care anyway. Most are busy talking on cell phones, sleeping and eating in my personal space, and otherwise behaving poorly. 

With the push to go "green" and become less reliant on oil you would think there would be added push to get people on the rails.  Oh, that's right, NJT has seen ridership increase even as it settles into complacency.  Why should they care?

If folks keep riding and not expressing concern that things CAN be better, why should they change?

I am tired of writing NJT and certainly tired of the cost to go to work. For the summer, look for me on 78 East listening to my satellite radio, and probably stewing about how poorly people drive. 

I know, maybe I am just a jerk who can never be satisfied.

Read more at guidetosomewhere.blogspot.com.