Quote:
Originally Posted by k1052
That would be great if NJ actually had 3-5B to spend on rail expansion like that, but it doesn't and couldn't fund it's operations even if somehow the PA was convinced to built it for them (unlikely).
For the kind of money the PA is talking about they can have the 7 extension for bus riders who need to get to the vicinity of the current PABT, east midtown, or one of the NYCT trunk lines plus fund half the cost of new Penn tubes. A transfer to/from HBLR is also easily within the realm of possibility given the proposed alignment.
Realistically Penn can't take the extra peak passenger load the PABT handles without replacing the concourses and head house as it's currently impossible to clear the platforms of passengers as currently constructed to increase TPH at rush. The LIRR also isn't going to give up the slots liberated by the ESA to anybody except maybe the MNRR if the state government forces them to…which seems to be the plan.
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Well the Gateway/Penn Station South would add that extra capacity... The Gateway and Bus Terminal expansion/7 Expansion are roughly the same cost. But the Gateway should have higher prority since it benefits a larger chunk of the Northeast then the bus upgrades. The last president of the LIRR wasn't to keen on giving up slots at Penn station , but she was forced out. A standard Bus can hold 60 to 70 people , while a 10 to 12 car train can hold up to 1200 to 1300 people. I don't really buy your argument that the current PABT can handle the extra capacity. Having used PABT during rush hr , its worse then Penn Station..., its slow...long lines , always an issue. Penn has issues aswell but getting the people on the train isn't one of them...its a Tunnel issue.
As for NJ Rail upgrades , we'll just milk the PA like everyone seems to be doing.
HBLR doesn't really service the Heavily congested routes in the Gold Coast which are along the higher sections. There are basic upgrades to the Rail lines that would not cost billions but boost capacity...