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.
All photos by Allan RosenTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: The DOT gets an ‘Incomplete.’ Reason One: As of January 10, the Ocean Avenue Footbridge still has not reopened, although the scheduled completion date for repairs [/ocean-avenue-footbridge-slated-for-year-end-reopening/] was the end of 2012. Reason Two: Although new bus stops and signage for the
singleride tickets
Click to enlarge. Photo by Allan RosenTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Most New Yorkers do not notice the sign in the station booths explaining the fare, except perhaps to check the price of a seven- or 30-day pass. However, to a tourist, it is essential that this sign be clear and
Cemusa
A look back in transportation on the year that was. Photo by Brian HooTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: It is difficult to believe that I have been writing “The Commute” for two years. In my reflections for 2011 [/reflecting-on-2011/], which seem like yesterday, I explained what I hope to accomplish in
allan rosen
Former MTA Chairman Joe Lhota shows New York Governor Andrew Cuomo how high his political aspirations are in the days following Superstorm Sandy. Source: MTAPhotos / FlickrTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Joe Lhota announced last Wednesday that he would resign the MTA chairmanship at the end of this year [http://www.nytimes.
Cemusa
Chicago’s version of Bus Time on its bus shelters. Photo by Allan RosenTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: I previously wrote about the MTA’s bias against buses [/the-role-of-buses-and-how-to-make-them-more-effective-part-i/] and their preference for the subways. Legible bus maps for all boroughs were not available until the early 1980s. Buses were harder
hearing
Source: (vincent desjardins) / FlickrTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: About a week before Hurricane Sandy, I got a delightful surprise in the form of an email from a senior MTA executive who worked at the Chicago Transit Authority earlier in his career complimenting me on my series, “A Tale of Two Cities:
the commute
MTA Chairman and CEO Joe Lhota meets with transit workers following Sandy. (Source: MTA)THE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: MTA Chairman Jeff Lhota is so popular these days for the way he handled Superstorm Sandy [/mta-deserves-high-marks-for-returning-service-as-quickly-as-possible/] that there is talk of him running for mayor. The question is how much credit
nostalgia train
In 2009, some riders dressed up to ride the nostalgia train. Hubba-hubba. (Photo by Allan Rosen)THE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: It’s time to take a break from cleaning Superstorm Sandy’s remains out of your basement. It’s time to forget your problems and take a brief, cheap vacation
hurricane closures
Source: Antonio Martínez López / FlickrTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: Last week, I wrote [/proposed-fare-and-toll-increases-residents-may-submit-their-comments-to-the-mta-online/] that fewer than 50 people showed up at the Brooklyn fare hike hearing, held the same day as the nor’easter, which possibly explains the low turnout. However, how do you also account for the low turnouts
Photo by Erica ShermanTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: If you did not attend the Brooklyn Transit Fare Hike Hearing held at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Brooklyn last Monday because of the nor’easter, you have another chance. Another hearing [http://mta.info/mta/news/hearings/2012FareToll/directions.html] will be
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Damage wrought to Manhattan’s South Ferry train station, which was completely submerged from the storm surge. Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick CashinTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: It is not too often that I compliment the MTA for a job well done. Regular readers of this column know most of my
Source: ChuckJones242 / FlickrTHE COMMUTE [/tag/the-commute/]: November 7, 2012, is when the Brooklyn hearing for the 2013 proposed fare and toll hikes is scheduled. If that evening is inconvenient for you, another will be held on the November 13, 2012 in Manhattan. The MTA is also accepting video testimony during