NJT customer service delivered - in spite of NJT
August 29th 2007 09:08 pm
My unusual commute, New Brunswick to Long Branch via Rahway, has only one good morning connection that gets me there with the minimum amount of layover at Rahway and minimum number of stops. I usually have an easy 9-minute connection to make in Rahway.
Today, my eastbound from New Brunswick was a few minutes late. The conductor, knowing of my usual connection, mentioned on the radio that a few passengers were coming over to the westbound platform. The NJCL train had not yet arrived at Rahway.
Incredibly, as we walked toward the head end and the stairs at Rahway, we heard someone on the radio reprimand the conductor of the eastbound and warn the conductor of the westbound not to delay “one damned second” whether we were in position or not.
As we bolted up to the westbound platform, we noticed the westbound train crawling into the station at no more than walking speed. The end door of the second car was open and the conductor had a huge grin on his face as he pointed to his watch and shrugged, grinning again. As we boarded, we heard him acknowledge our arrival on the radio to the other conductor and then add: “I just gave two to go at 8:23 AM. Have a nice day on the railroad.”
Goood business axiom: Take care of your regulars.
Bob Scheurle responded on 30 Aug 2007 at 7:36 am #
Hmmm… NJT or Amtrak?
Joe Versaggi responded on 30 Aug 2007 at 7:56 am #
With 10 minues of “Shirley Time” in their schedules, WWHHHYYYY ?
E-44 responded on 30 Aug 2007 at 11:42 am #
Considering the eastbound was pulled forward so the rear cars platformed and was clear of the crossover and the NJCL train was on the far outside track, we could not have been obstructing Amtrak.
Joe Versaggi responded on 30 Aug 2007 at 12:21 pm #
I think hyper-sensitivity to OTP. Notice mostly Arrow operation on weekends.
Note also the 3 bi-level consists are 11 cars, 8 cars, and 6 cars, mostly on expresses, or consists short enough that they can’t do any damage to the schedules.
Mid-day, off-peak, there are NYP-PJC expresses throughout the day now. Patronage barely required 2 trains per hour south of Jersey Avenue as it was on weekdays (weekends are a different matter). Now we have 3 per hour so as to spread the light loads among more trains and not encounter ingress/egress issues on locals. We have re-designed operations to suit the capital assets.
John 76 responded on 06 Sep 2007 at 9:17 pm #
I gather you never learned the name of the mysterious rebuker, Bob. It is good to know that two conductors did the right thing despite some NJT manager’s attempt to make you late for work.
Bob Scheurle responded on 07 Sep 2007 at 9:53 am #
That post wasn’t from me. It was from E-44. He’s the one who was late to work.
E-44 responded on 16 Sep 2007 at 12:41 pm #
I’m a consultant. I’m never late for work. It’s always waiting for me whenever I get there