Allan Rosen is a former director of MTA NYCT Bus Planning with three decades of experience in transportation and a Master's Degree in Urban Planning.
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Source: wiltshireonline.orgTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Last week I described my harrowing trip home from a Broadway play due to detours and inadequate road signage [/the-need-for-better-signage/]. This week I had a similar experience returning from a play on the Upper East Side of Manhattan using the subway. The play would
battery
The Brooklyn Battery, er, we mean Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. Source: Matthew Keyes / FlickrTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Last May we discussed subway and bus signage [/lets-talk-subway-and-bus-signage/] and DOT parking and street signage [/new-no-parking-signs-are-appearing-in-sheepshead-bay-and-more/]. In 2011, I wrote about confusing airport signage [/it’s-all-about-customer-service/]. Today I will discuss other problems with
fare hikes
Source: Brendan Ross / FlickrTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: This past week the MTA unveiled a series of progressive initiatives, including additional restorations of service that were cut in June 2010. Prior to those service reductions, the media paid little attention to them. The headlines mainly revolved around the MTA’s plan
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Photos (see inset) by Allan Rosen. Click to enlargeTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: As the MTA contemplates today and on Wednesday how many more service reductions from 2010 they will restore [http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-maps-route-new-nyc-bus-subway-lines-article-1.1399605] , let’s focus today on a local matter. During the past two weeks,
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Traffic. Ugh. Source: Samuel Leo / FlickrTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: My article about traffic congestion [/what-really-causes-traffic-congestion/] last week sparked a lot of criticism, specifically on SubChat [http://www.subchat.com/read.asp?Id=1233864], from those accusing me of being an automobile lover and bicycle hater. Of course, those advocating that
Source: Dave Paco Abraham / FlickrTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Sure there are a lot of cars on the road, but just to say that’s what causes traffic congestion is overly simplistic. Yet that’s what many believe. Just get rid of all the cars, encourage the use of bikes by
The Junction in Flatbush could be an ideal site for a bus terminal. (Source: flatbushjunctionbid.com)THE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Each week I am challenged to write about something different. Today I will discuss a subject that I have only mentioned peripherally before – intercity and local bus terminals. When streets
rapid transit
Source: Patrick Cashin / Metropolitan Transportation AuthorityTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Just when you thought all the subway lines had finally reopened in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, several weeks ago the MTA announced that the Montague Street Tunnel, where the R train operates, will be closed for 14 months [http://online.
adopt-a-highway
Photo by Allan RosenTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: For those who don’t know Yiddish, a “shonda” means a crying shame. That’s the only way I can think of describing the above picture showing an Adopt-A-Highway segment strewn with weeds and litter. It puts the New York City Department of
34 st penn station
The glorious, old Penn Station, before it was demolished to make room for the hideous monstrosity we know today. Source: WikipediaTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Much of what I was taught in school was either useless or not true. I spent several years studying algebra, which I actually liked, but only
Opinion
The Staten Island Ferry. Photo by Erica ShermanTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: This past week, transit news focused on what seemed like a series of unrelated events — most notably the resumption of Rockaway “A” Train service. “A” Train Service Returns “A” train service, between Howard Beach and the Rockaways, which was
buses
Photo by Allan RosenTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Last week we discussed DOT street and parking signage [/new-no-parking-signs-are-appearing-in-sheepshead-bay-and-more/]. In January we mentioned the lack of clarity of the subway fare signs [/subway-fare-sign-is-unfriendly-to-tourists/] at the station agent booths. What about the rest of the MTA signage? In this area, the MTA scores