25Hz wrote:How about leave the shuttle as-is and put the light rail through princeton on whatever route meeting the shuttle at its terminus in princeton? How about utilize the old public service high speed line to connect to hamilton and new brunswick? Would be more worthwhile i think.The dinky is much more expensive to operate and even if the lightrail were to be built over a longer distance, it makes economic sense to replace the dinky with lightrail, and avoids the need for yet another transfer by passengers. Utilizing the PSE&G right of way would involve paying for easements, a massive construction cost, displacement of underwire licensees, possible need to increase wire clearances, substantial number of grade crossings, and compete to some extent with NEC trains.
I understand that light rail is far more popular than expanding heavy rail, and in certain cases more practical. This situation i feel undermines the effort to have NJT expand and/or keep current heavy rail service vs remove or cut back. We all ready see what drastically cutting back can do to a transit system (SEPTA). Best not to give anyone those ideas for NJ.
Increasing shuttle runs i think is a great idea, and can be done immediately for not much additional cost.
~Ken :: Fairmont ex-UP/MP C436 MT-14M1 ::
Black River Railroad Historical Trust :: [/url]
Black River Railroad Historical Trust :: [/url]