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Originally Posted by Crawford
Yes, and it should have happened decades ago.
But it's much more likely that HBLR is eventually extended to the Meadowlands. At least this would provide good regional light rail connectivity.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Busy Bee
Much of HBLR should be PATH but that's a whole other issue.
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The PATH and HBLR systems are completely different in construction and use. The PATH is an actual railroad which is grade separated and has it's own reporting mark while the HBLR is a newly constructed system which is either at grade, below grade, or above grade depending on the location.
It's best to keep both systems separated anyways since PATH is owned by the PANYNJ, a bi-state agency, while HBLR is owned by NJT, which covers the entire state of NJ.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbermingham123
My dream (which will never, ever, ever happen) is the merger of NJT, LIRR, and PATH (which is true heavy rail like the others) into a single transit system with through-running at Penn station and the WTC station.
It should be possible to take a LIRR train through Atlantic terminal to the WTC station, and continue on to JC and Newark.
most of the infrastructure for this already exists. The east river tunnel is the only significant missing link, and could potentially be acquired by repurposing one of the 4 (!!!) existing subway tunnels from atlantic terminal which cross the east river
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And that's what it is, nothing more than just a dream!!! It's a possibility of connecting Atlantic Terminal to the WTC station, which will cost a lot of money, but combining the three transit agencies is going to only create a lot of infighting between NY and NJ, plus the fare structures are so different in that PATH operates on a flat rate, while NJT and LIRR have their own fare zones.
It's just best to let each state do it's own thing and not mess with the current structures. Also, NYC is the main destination for a lot of modes of transport, which is why Grand Central is currently a terminus, and Penn Station is the busiest train station in the Americas, if not the world!
If a commuter who lives in LI has a job in either JC, Hoboken, or Newark, then he'd have to transfer either at Penn Station of WTC just to do so, and the reason why it's designed that way is because of the economic strength or Downtown and Midtown Manhattan.