by EuroStar
There are reports that NJT is looking almost certain to miss the deadline for PTC installation (December 31, 2018). Here is one of them https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... ments-show, but other sources are also available on the net. The article obviously has certain inaccuracies in its description of what PTC could have done for the Hoboken crash and does delve in the controversial firing of the safety officer, but let's put those aside. I have seen other reports suggesting that even the first line to get PTC, Morris&Essex is still very far from even testing.
What happens if NJT misses the deadline and is really far behind? I imagine if many other commuter agencies are not able to satisfy the deadline Congress will give another extension. What happens in the case when almost every other commuter railroad is ready with it and NJT is not? Complete shutdown of every line that does not have PTC until it is installed? That probably means that only the NEC will be operational for some time.
On a related note, how far ahead is the MTA? If LIRR and Metro-North are ready by the deadline and NJT is not, it is likely to be much harder to get an extension of any kind.
What happens if NJT misses the deadline and is really far behind? I imagine if many other commuter agencies are not able to satisfy the deadline Congress will give another extension. What happens in the case when almost every other commuter railroad is ready with it and NJT is not? Complete shutdown of every line that does not have PTC until it is installed? That probably means that only the NEC will be operational for some time.
On a related note, how far ahead is the MTA? If LIRR and Metro-North are ready by the deadline and NJT is not, it is likely to be much harder to get an extension of any kind.