RAILforum: NJT Timetable Evolution

This is topic NJT Timetable Evolution in forum Commuter Trains at RAILforum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/12/59.html

Posted by transit383 (Member # 1488) on :

Over the years, NJT's rail timetable quality has decreased significantly. Looking back at the 1992 tables, NJT used to have much more than it has today:

-Detailed station location descriptions
-Symbols that tell which parking lots fill early
-Named trains (not that this makes a difference, but it was classy)

Now, ten years later, these have all disappeared. NJT does not even have the "Additional Amtrak Service" schedule in the NEC tables anymore (It disappeared when the January 13, 2002 timetables were issued).

Are there any reasons for the decline in quality of the timetables? Is this a reflection of NJT's service quality?

Posted by TR-00 (Member # 1494) on :

A proposal to name all scheduled trains was considered and approved by NJT.

Selecting a catogory for the names was difficult.

Originally, the board wanted to name the trains after famous New Jersians, such as Thomas Edison, Alexander Hamilton, Dorthea Dix, Admiral Hallsey, but the general feeling was that this system was too trite.

The second proposal was to name the trains after indicted mayors from around the State (Camden, Newark, Atlantic City, Jersey City, etc.). However, after naming all the trains, there were several names left over.

The final solution was to name the trains after honest politicians at the State level (governors, state senators, assemblymen). This was accepted, and all of the trains have been named. Consult the schedule to see these named trains.

Posted by jrr7 (Member # 1475) on :

Yes -
- Laziness
- Apathy
- Loss of pride in the job
- Schedules aren't designed until the last minute and there's so much of a rush to get them printed ASAP that there's no time to put these little touches in
- It's work and doesn't provide any personal benefit to the people who do it

What about blatant errors on the schedule, for instance in the area where bus lines are listed? The Bergen Line schedule says at at Harmon Cove you can transfer to the #190 bus. However the nearest stop is almost two miles away!

Posted by gct29 (Member # 1551) on :

TR-00:

Before this topic goes any further, congratulations on a masterful piece of wit.

You put the Twain in train.

Ahem . . . Excuse me.