Monthly Archives: May 2009

Straphanger Joe Recharges His Batteries

Posted on May 21, 2009 by TJ

Have a Blessed Day By Straphanger Joe   I hear his voice. I’ve seen him once or twice since October, when I wrote about him last (the Duracell Man), but it’s been a while.   “I’ve got double A. I … Continue reading →

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Grand Ole Party on the 5:46

Posted on May 21, 2009 by TJ

Westchester sort-of celeb sighting on the train yesterday: County Executive aspirant/hopeful Spano slayer Rob Astorino exiting at Hawthorne station. Under his arm was, perhaps tellingly, a copy of Time magazine with the GOP elephant on it and the words “Endangered … Continue reading →

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Bloomberg to Christen Yankee Stadium Stop

Posted on May 20, 2009 by TJ

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and some of the still-remaining MTA bigwigs will assemble at the new Metro-North Yankee Stadium stop tomorrow at 12:30 to christen the new E. 153rd Street station. Metro-North says  a “special, non-revenue train will leave Grand Central … Continue reading →

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PBS Special Looks at Future of Transit

Posted on May 20, 2009 by TJ

PBS offers up the special Blueprint America tonight about what roads, rails and cities will look like across America in the near future. Reported by Miles O’Brien, the special looks at light rail-friendly/bike-happy Portland, Ore., increasingly green New York City, … Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: Purse-Reverse

Posted on May 20, 2009 by TJ

PURSE-REVERSE \PERS re VURS\ noun: The backpack-on-the-front method favored by European tourists in Grand Central who fear scary New Yorkers will steal their passports and guidebooks. Usage: My schlep through Grand Central was delayed as I waited for some Slavic … Continue reading →

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‘Spies’ on the 8:16

Posted on May 19, 2009 by TJ

I boarded the 8:16 out of Hawthorne today, slightly off my game after a four-day weekend. Seat choices 1, 2 and 3 were taken, so I ventured into the next car. The car held about 30 middle-aged people with red, … Continue reading →

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CTRider Will Help You Silence Your Digital Device

Posted on May 19, 2009 by TJ

I hate your Cellphone/PDA. You know who you are.  You’ve got a Blackberry, iPhone or other modern device that is capable of making all sorts of obnoxious noises. At this point, most train commuters have been socialized to speak quietly … Continue reading →

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Farewell to ‘Westchester’

Posted on May 18, 2009 by TJ

Yesterday’s New York Times marked the final edition of the Sunday “Westchester” section of the paper, which had long been a good source of local commuter news. Sure, Timesman Ken Belson covers transit issues doggedly, but the Westchester section, as … Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: DUMBRELLAS

Posted on May 15, 2009 by TJ

DUMBRELLAS /dumm BRELL uhz/ noun: People who clog the sidewalks with giant umbrellas even after the rain has, at least for the moment, stopped falling. Usage: I was cutting it close to make the 6:10 to Chappaqua, and missed my … Continue reading →

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Happy Bike-to-Work Day!

Posted on May 15, 2009 by TJ

Wouldn’t you know it, the first day in forever that I take a personal day and don’t bike to work is National Bike/Walk to Work Day. (About that awkward “Bike/Walk” construct, you just know it used to be “Bike to … Continue reading →

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