I think NJT did a good job. The stadium cut WAY down on parking at the stadium, forcing more people to use mass transit. Also, you have 30,000 + people trying to leave at once. You are trying to move that many people over a dead end spur that joins to a mainline on which other trains operate too. One other thing I noticed is that the news here tended to interview Denver fans, who were already disgusted because of the outcome of the game. I work 15 miles from home. I use Route 17. In bad weather or an accident, I can take 1 1/2 hours to do the 15 mile trip. Crowds equal problems.
Dakguy201 The news reports this morning indicate that leaving the stadium after the game was a mess with up to 2 hour waits to board a train. Apparently, the stadium PA system was asking people to delay going to the train station after the game because of the crowding. I assume the Giants and the Jets routinely fill the stadium for their games. Granted, the Superbowl attracts several thousand press, entertainers and other hanger-ons that would not be present at a regular game. Nevertheless, I would not think the total number of bodies present was all that different than the regular season. The bottom line question for me is the question of allowing access only by rail -- was it never feasible with reasonable service by rail only or did NJ Transit screw up (again)? If anyone was present, your input is needed.
The news reports this morning indicate that leaving the stadium after the game was a mess with up to 2 hour waits to board a train. Apparently, the stadium PA system was asking people to delay going to the train station after the game because of the crowding.
I assume the Giants and the Jets routinely fill the stadium for their games. Granted, the Superbowl attracts several thousand press, entertainers and other hanger-ons that would not be present at a regular game. Nevertheless, I would not think the total number of bodies present was all that different than the regular season.
The bottom line question for me is the question of allowing access only by rail -- was it never feasible with reasonable service by rail only or did NJ Transit screw up (again)? If anyone was present, your input is needed.
Regular fans to Jets & Giants games all have their 'normal' forms of transportation which includes personal automotive transportation. They also have the practice of doing it 10 times a year for each team.
The SB 'fans' are not normal team fans. They don't have 'normal' transportation venues to any game. If they are 'team' fans - they are all from out of town and have minimal local connections to get transported to the stadium.
Much easier to handle the regular fans than the one time attendees of the SB.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
It will only be the weakest link if it doesn't work. It is the nucleus, the hub, ground zero, the exact center of 99.9% of the operation...a little over six miles from there to the Sport Complex; where no matter where you are coming from or where you're going to, you'll have to change trains; kinda like Jamaica on steroids with few if any across the platform moves and most up and down to get to the level you need to get where you're going. NJT has to have its most informed, friendly, competent, people oriented, and intelligent empl;oyees on all the platforms, turnstyles, stairways, passageways, staircases, escalators, elevators, doorways, information desks and kiosks. Their most important tool will have to be patience. And probably as was said in some of the media hype by the coaches, take the attitude that you should try to have fun and relax and do your best to do your job. I'm glad I'm not gonna be there. A little.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
The weakest link in tomorrow's Super Bowl trains is the 5 miles between Penn Station, NY and Secaucus Junction. The trains to the Meadowlands are diesel powered and all trains coming from everywhere except NY could theoretically be diesel powered. I understand that certain Amtrak trains will be stopping at Secaucus as well, the first time that Amtrak has ever used the station, other than the stop to receive the body of the late Frank Lautenberg.
Hey Paj, hats off to you for being q goodwill ambassador for all Americans. Good work! Good idea for others to follow!
Check NJT's website: NJTRANSIT.com for updates, schedules, etc. Christie and Cuomo both expect to be attending the game but NJ.COM news says many other politicos are staying away. Extra trains are scheduled today and Sunday on all lines (several have hit snags, at least one cancelled) and the Sportsline Shuttles on Sunday only (31 leaving Sec Jct 1:41PM to 7:25PM and 26 leave Meadowlands from 2:48PM to 1:00AM, others if needed after 1AM). No public parking, no taxicabs, supposedly no limousines either, for the public with only the trains and public buses bringing the people with a few charter buses allowed to park; otherwise it is drive in, drop off, and drive bus service.
That is interesting, thanks Henry.
If the cat goes down in one of the Hudson River Tubes, or a derailment...there are so many possibilities for incidents. Hopefully everything will go well and NJT can rebuild some of their reputation. Is all the equipment operational and ready to go?
What will happen if there is a system overload or worse a system failure preventing fans from reaching the game ? Governor Christie look out will make Georgia's governor look like a saint ?!!
All it would take is CAT being snagged or switch failure. Understand is that at least Portal Bridge will be closed and locked way in advance and not reopened
There is no such restriction of taking pictures inside the train. Crews apparently are paranoid about themselves being pictured...and I probably can't blame them. This goes for NJT as well as Amtrak. PAJRR, you did well in thinking and doing.
Just a word about Amtrak on the subject of photography. I was in a lounge car and a female passenger (foreign tourist) wanted to photograph the inside of the lounge car. The attendant said no. Photography on the train was not permitted. I remembered reading that "souvenir" photography is permitted, so I asked the attendant if the young lady could be photographed inside the lounge car as part of her trip. He said yes, so I took her picture with her camera, while getting the essence of the lounge car in the background. This was a couple years ago. I don't know if that policy has changed for better or worse.
Once or twice train crews have admonished us about taking pictures inside the train. Another time two of us were at the PATH station in Harrison, NJ and the crews kept telling us that it was illegal (which it apparently is because the Port Authority does not allow pictures of its facilities. I told one conductor I was not taking pictures of PATH but of NJT, especially the long shots across the blocks of the Morristown Line trains and promptly shot a pic through the PATH car windows of such a train.) But we really have not had problems on NJT, MNRR, SEPTA, PATCO, nor LIRR. I tell those with us no scanners and to be careful; did have to point out to one not to take pics on the platforms of NYP. Most crews, however, see our gray hair, our OFF (old fart fare) tickets, our railroad insigne hats, and that we mostly will leave them alone. They will, however, approach us with questions about what we're up to, offers of help, suggestions of sights to see, and general conversations: always friendly, always helpful. Even toting cameras and bags past the National Guard troops in NYP and the sniffing dogs in New Haven have been uneventful.
I found New York City area New Jersey to be quite full of police activity...and I learned this the hard way. I went out further on a platform at Hoboken Terminal to get a few shots of the train I had come in on with the clock tower, and on my way back was confronted by a cop, who saw the camera. (Being a locomotive guy, I was taking pictures of the builder's plate with a nice camera, I wonder if this is what annoyed him?) I was not harassed, and I discussed my intentions with him, and thus was politely asked to leave the premises, which I did.
Thereafter, I was very careful about how and when I pulled the DSLR out of its case, but didn't ever have any other trouble.
Henry, have you had any problems, or does a group of guys seem less threatening?
I wouldn't want to be railfanning anywhere close this weekend...
In taking our Ridewithmehenry trips we often encounter all kinds of military and police agencies complete with enough firepower to blow a whole crowd across the concourse or with dogs looking at you like you're a top sirloin ready for bitin' . But its often the script for "where's a cop when you need one" as you might see what looks like a platoon all in one place and then not see a blue shirt and badge the the whole length of a corridor where someone has slipped and fallen. Incidentally, I chose 1/15 as the last date in Jan for our monthly and don't expect to choose another until at least 2/15...sure don't want to be down there this week or next! And, no, I don't think I would want to be a member of the security forces nor of the railroad and other transit operations. I know how things can go when all working are "volunteers" for this special occasion.
Henry, I wouldn't call this a law enforcement convention at all. At a convention or confab all invited agencys come together to exchange ideas, professional expertise and know-how, and to try to learn what they can from each other in an atmosphere of good will and professional respect.
This, on the other hand, has the makings of a "who's on top" fight. I hope I'm wrong.
By the way, I sure wouldn't want to be one of the 15,000 or so trying to squeeze myself through that checkpoint.
I wouldn't want to be one of the cops who's going to have to deal with some of those over-testosteroned football fans either!
And just WHAT is the TSA doing there anyway? Didn't Amtrak throw them off the property about a year or so ago? If they were invited fine, if not, well then who's decision was it to bring them in? Sounds like a Jimmy Durante "Ev'rybody wants to get into de act!" moment.
There is no turf wars going on between or among the many law enforcement and military units positioned around NJ and the City. It is kinda like their annual meeting, Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup Final, State Fair, Olympics and Sunday picnic all rolled into one one day event at a scattered number of venues which can change at any moment. And the differential in all is the Governor of New Jersey could shut down any lane of traffic, bridge, track or line at his whim. That's how the winner will be declared.
NOW I've just seen an article on NorthJersey.com, (can't read the whole thing yet, it won't load for some reason) that sez the TSA is going to be at Secaucus Junction searching bags and what-not.
Do I see a turf war coming with NJT's own police force and TSA? Possibly even with Amtrak police? I'll have to read the whole article if and when the thing decides to load.
I certainly don't have a problem with security but this could be a nightmare in the making. Glad I'm not going, I've better things to do.
OK, I've read the story, find it here, www.northjersey.com/news/state/TSA_screening_set_at_rail_station_for_Super_Bowl.html
I won't go into the details but I see chaos a-comin' with a capital "C".
Perhaps the good governor will help out and have another lane closure to measure traffic Sunday afternoon. I heard limos were also banned..
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
New Jersey Transit is selling a $50 ticket goof for all NJT trains, buses and light rail for the whole week of Superbowl.
It is also possible to purchase their regular one way tickets including discounts for senior citizens and children. However, the price for whatever reason does not appear on the website.
John WR I've read pretty much the same thing you have, Henry. I read The Star-Ledger. NJT seems well prepared for the Superbowl. John
I've read pretty much the same thing you have, Henry. I read The Star-Ledger. NJT seems well prepared for the Superbowl.
John
I wouldn't say that. We are talking NJT here. They took the ML's out of regular service so they can just run Sec Jct to the Sports Complex with them. Both diesel and electric trains are experiencing equipment problems on all lines according to their website. So, we really won't know until Monday or Tuesday how well they really succeeded.
I've not checked out the fare structures but do know there will be no private cars allowed inside the gates only buses and limos and VIP's. NJT is providing shuttle service from Sec. Jct to the Sports station, commercial buses will deliver and leave, some buses will be able to park for the duration. Many businesses in the vicinity are upset because there won't be traffic to buy gas and whatever, nor stop for food or drink; local businesses, chambers of commerce, and governments are quite upset about being left out of the money.
Is it true that bus fare will be $51.00?
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"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
I heard that no taxis or limos or tailgating are allowed at the Superbowl this year and buses and trains will be heavily used. Any details? Is NJT prepared?
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