3 ms·

Also a New Yorker, but my reference point is Hong Kong instead of Europe. Hong Kong has a high speed rail link from the middle of the airport that gets to city

Also a New Yorker, but my reference point is Hong Kong instead of Europe. Hong Kong has a high speed rail link from the middle of the airport that gets to city centre in 30 mins flat, making two stops along the way at major mass transit junctions. How does the 7 not go to LGA? Why doesn't the E go to JFK What stopped the PATH from extending to EWR?* * I actually know the answer to this one and it's actually a technical constraint. The PATH system uses MTA like third rails for power. The mainline track system uses overhead lines for power. Having the PATH continue to EWR would require investment in parallel infrastructure between Newark Penn Station and EWR. Of course PATH is maintained by the Port Authority and the mainline track by NJ Transit, each of which has its own agenda and budget so it'll never happen.

CPLX 10y ago
> * I actually know the answer to this one and it's actually a technical constraint. Not really. I mean sure in the sense that they'd have to run the third rail as you mention, but that's not a technical constraint given how simple it is. And theoretically it's in progress.[0] The problem here is plainly political. If the politics of building trains in this country weren't completely broken it would have been done long, long ago. [0] http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/04/newark_elizabeth_leaders_urge_port_authority_to_ke.html http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/04/newark_elizabeth_l... Oh while we're talking about dysfunctional PATH decisions based on mindless political/organizational divisions here's another one that'll make your blood boil: http://newyorkyimby.com/2014/09/the-port-authoritys-missed-connection-the-path-lex-line-that-never-was.html http://newyorkyimby.com/2014/09/the-port-authoritys-missed-c...
gsnedders 10y ago
> * I actually know the answer to this one and it's actually a technical constraint. The PATH system uses MTA like third rails for power. The mainline track system uses overhead lines for power. Having the PATH continue to EWR would require investment in parallel infrastructure between Newark Penn Station and EWR. Of course PATH is maintained by the Port Authority and the mainline track by NJ Transit, each of which has its own agenda and budget so it'll never happen. Why is that a technical constraint? The mainline system uses third rail from Grand Central Terminal to Pelham, where it switches to overhead line equipment, so even in a US setting it's clear that switching between power supplies on the move and dual-compatible stock is no problem.

CPLX 10y ago

> * I actually know the answer to this one and it's actually a technical constraint. Not really. I mean sure in the sense that they'd have to run the third rail as you mention, but that's not a technical constraint given how simple it is. And theoretically it's in progress.[0] The problem here is plainly political. If the politics of building trains in this country weren't completely broken it would have been done long, long ago. [0] http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/04/newark_elizabeth_leaders_urge_port_authority_to_ke.html http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/04/newark_elizabeth_l... Oh while we're talking about dysfunctional PATH decisions based on mindless political/organizational divisions here's another one that'll make your blood boil: http://newyorkyimby.com/2014/09/the-port-authoritys-missed-connection-the-path-lex-line-that-never-was.html http://newyorkyimby.com/2014/09/the-port-authoritys-missed-c...

gsnedders 10y ago

> * I actually know the answer to this one and it's actually a technical constraint. The PATH system uses MTA like third rails for power. The mainline track system uses overhead lines for power. Having the PATH continue to EWR would require investment in parallel infrastructure between Newark Penn Station and EWR. Of course PATH is maintained by the Port Authority and the mainline track by NJ Transit, each of which has its own agenda and budget so it'll never happen. Why is that a technical constraint? The mainline system uses third rail from Grand Central Terminal to Pelham, where it switches to overhead line equipment, so even in a US setting it's clear that switching between power supplies on the move and dual-compatible stock is no problem.