NJ Transit Schedule Changes on 10/14/12: A Timeline of Events

I decided that it would benefit the community and would reach a larger audience if I was to start a little blog here on our local news outlet. For now I will focus just on the recent issues surround NJ Transit Schedule changes that went into effect on 10/14/12. It is my hope that this subject will only need to be covered for a short time, and then I will figure things out then. I will try and update this blog as often as information is received.

Timeline as of 12/14/12.

10/14/12: Exactly 2 months ago today, NJ Transit dramatically changed the evening commuting schedule to South Orange, resulting in the removal of all express and direct trains during the evening rush hour. The fewest stops on any train going to South Orange is 4 between the hours of 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM

10/14/12: VP Torpey told residents that it is not his problem to help get residents to work, and refused, at that time to help, forcing residents to take matters into their own hands.

10/15/12: Petition launched on Change.org to get the community involved, resulting in over 1,250 signatures to date

10/22/12: South Orange BOT regular meeting held with NJ Tranist representatives, CBS news, South Orange Patch, News Record, Assemblyman McKeon, Assemblywoman Jasey, and Sentor Codey all in attendance. With some very poignant statements made by our county and state elected officials on commuters behalf.

10/23/12 - 10/28/12: Various media outlets covering the story including NPR, Reuters, AP, Patch, News Record, and Star Ledger

10/29/12: Superstorm Sandy hits, causing massive disruptions to the rail system, disruptions we are still feeling the effects of today

11/6/12: SOMACommuters launches Facebook and Twitter feeds to help keep commuters informed about the transit situation

11/29/12: A list of demands sent to NJ Transit executive offices to review in preparation for a working session with rail planners to be held in December

12/7/12: VP Torpey has phone call with NJ Transit Executive Director Weinstein, despite his previous lack of interest in getting involved

12/10/12: South Orange BOT passes resolution to demand changes in the schedule to South Orange.

12/11/12: A group of 4 South Orange residents and 1 member of the Board of Trustees meets with NJ Transit rail schedulers, planners, government and customer liasons

12/14/12: NJ Transit provides residents with specific ridership numbers as a result of OPRA requests

So that is the basic summary as of now, and as I stated earlier I will update as more information is available.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or general comments, please feel free to email me greenstone.scott@gmail.com