Dinky or Bus? A Town Is Torn

[Harry]

PRINCETON, N.J. — The run of the train known as the Princeton Dinky is both impressively long and unusually short. For 145 years, this rail link in a college town has ferried students and commuters over the briefest of distances. But Year 146 has not been kind to the nation’s shortest regularly scheduled commuter route, which travels a four-minute, 2.7-mile stretch of track between a small station at Princeton University and a larger one at Princeton Junction.

 

For one thing, New Jersey Transit, which operates the train, has raised Dinky fares and cut off-peak service, much as it has done with other trains and buses in these tight economic times. It has also consulted with local and university officials on a proposal to pave over the Dinky’s tracks and install a bus system that would extend through the whole town. Such a system, supporters say, could reach more people, run more frequently than the Dinky and even ease a dispute that has long delayed the establishment of a university arts complex.

 

But if these are the Dinky’s final days, one might not immediately sense it from riding the train. On a recent weekday morning, most of the seats in the Dinky’s one open car were filled with commuters sharing newspapers and conversation.

 

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/nyregion/15metjournal.html

[D.J.]

read a similar article about a month ago. I wouldn't mind because BRT is a bit cheaper to operate anyway. Where as the Arrow IIIs are near retirement and need replacing It would much easier to get a dedicated bus fleet and extend the line. It is to be extended to the shopping center and more if the BRT system is initated. So why not? Only people that are complaining are the ones that don't like how people trash buses but they can do just the same with a train.

[N-Trizzy2609]

NJ Transit needs to lower the fares. Idk what worse right now. Driving around with a "hey predators, come rape me" sticker on my license plate or playing $30 to go to the city from Matawan.

[Brighton Local]

I joined the group on Facebook to save the Dinky!:tup::cool:

[GojiMet86]

Let's go Dinky!!!

[metsfan]

Well, this month i plan to ride this train, just in case. It really makes absolutely no sense to change it, people love the direct reliable connection.

 

- A

[MTR Admiralty]

BRT makes some sense because again it is flexible to run BRT and that purchasing new railcars could mean dollars.

[Qns Blvd Dom]

NJ Transit needs to lower the fares. Idk what worse right now. Driving around with a "hey predators, come rape me" sticker on my license plate or playing $30 to go to the city from Matawan.

 

Guess may as well start getting off @ Newark & get PATH from there now. I won't be so surprised the # of people using Newark & PATH has gotten higher with this fare hike.

 

On a side note, this should be interesting with how the Dinky will survive!

[metsfan]

BRT makes some sense because again it is flexible to run BRT and that purchasing new railcars could mean dollars.

 

The line uses arrow 3 single units, the same as used on most of the rest of the (NJT) electrified system. New rolling stock would come along with any new EMU orders for (NJT).

 

BRT makes no sense at all, theres this thing called US route 1 between princeton & princeton jct.

 

 

5 minutes all day every day all weather all traffic.

 

 

8+ minutes when done non stop on a clear sunny day with no traffic.

 

- A

[MTR Admiralty]

The line uses arrow 3 single units, the same as used on most of the rest of the (NJT) electrified system. New rolling stock would come along with any new EMU orders for (NJT).

 

BRT makes no sense at all, theres this thing called US route 1 between princeton & princeton jct.

 

 

5 minutes all day every day all weather all traffic.

 

 

8+ minutes when done non stop on a clear sunny day with no traffic.

 

- A

If you actually READ the article, it said that the BRT plan intends to PAVE over the existing tracks, and not use existing streets.