Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Includes improved sound system, larger monitors and a multi-color destination display that will enable customers to see at a glance the next train destined for their particular station.

MyTix allows customers to purchase one-way tickets and monthly passes securely on their mobile devices for travel on the Pascack Valley Line, as well as between Penn Station New York and the Meadowlands Rail Station for special events.

Both agencies increased police patrols. NYPD gave additional attention to the subway system and NJ Transit reminded riders to report suspicious activity to the police.

The survey asked bus, rail, light rail and Access Link paratransit customers to rate the agency on a scale of 0 to 10. Customers also considered 41 attributes of the system related to facilities, service, vehicles, communications and the overall experience using NJ Transit.

The decision was made despite the state accruing more than $2 billion in Superstorm Sandy-related expenses and tapping out its snow removal budget.

The majority of the funds will go to the transit agencies that incurred the greatest expenses while preparing for and recovering from Hurricane Sandy — N.Y. MTA, PATH, NJ Transit and NYC DOT.

A total of $10.9 billion was appropriated for transportation emergency relief. However, this funding is now reduced by 5%, or $545 million, because of the mandatory budget cuts known as sequestration that took effect on March 1.

Giving funds to firms that already have open contracts with the agency as part of its superstorm Sandy “Disaster Recovery Program.”

The transportation agency paid $2.9 million less in 2012 than it did in 2011 to employees cashing out their unused sick and vacation time. It also paid $4.1 million less in overtime from the previous year.

Executive Director Jim Weinstein said that the agency had to send four staff members to the Super Bowl in New Orleans to observe the city’s handling of transportation and security at the event so it could prepare for the game coming to the Meadowlands in 2014.