It’s about the slowest week of the year so you’ll forgive me for posting about the center stairs at the train station — which have been closed for most of this year without any tangible evidence of any repairs whatsoever. Two emails this summer to NJ Transit inquiring about the stairs have not been answered.
There’s this station advisory dated April 2 indicating the stairs will be closed “until further notice for necessary repairs.”
I shared the elevator with a frustrated rider on Saturday afternoon who also was amazed by the slow pace of the elevator.
The Garwood Borough Council recently adopted an ordinance that “prohibits monetary and in-kind donations and pledges by redevelopers ‘to any Garwood candidate or holder of public office…having responsibility for arranging, entering into, or approving a redevelopment agreement on or appointing those who enter into the agreement on behalf of the municipality.'”
According to the Cranford Chronicle story on nj.com, the mayor and borough attorney said the measure wasn’t related to any redevelopment plan but part of “an overall effort to prevent conflicts in development in the future.”
Mark, perhaps you can contact one of Rahway's state legislators and have them sit on NJT so we can get those stairs fixed.
Mark – thanks for re-posting, not being able to use the stairs is a daily annoyance for those who ride the train.Not to bring up controversy, but did anyone see NJ Monthly's highschool rankings? Sadly, Rahway came in at 261 (out of 322) LOWER than the 2008 ranking of 249! We're not going to attract families (or any businesses that cater to families) with stats like that!http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/highschoolrankings/2010-top-high-schools-alphabetical-order.html
Here is the response I received when I contacted NJ Transit in May: We are replying to your feedback of 5/3/2010 regarding subject: Rahway station stair repair. Your information was forwarded to the appropriate departments for review and consideration. The stairs are unsafe for public use and will remain closed until replaced. This work will require a re-design and new plans. Once finalized, NJ TRANSIT will need NJ DCA approval of the plans, and a full bid process to ensure compliance with state procurement regulations. We expect the design to be completed within a month, and will update signage once we have a better idea of a estimated date that the work will be completed. NJ TRANSIT appreciates you taking the time to share this information. It is important to us as we work to improve our service to you. Thank you for contacting NJ TRANSIT. ——–Unfortunately, it is now 4 months later and progress has not been made. I think we will need support from local politicians to get this fixed. How does the City plan to attract residents if the public transit is in disrepair? (when that is the main draw to moving to Rahway in the first place!!)
Anonymous 8:52, Thanks for posting that. I thought I recall seeing some sort of announcement or NJT alert that the stairs would be repaired by the fall. Maybe I was wrong though because I wasn't able to find anything.
I had a response from them this morning (9/1) that seems to indicate they're done with the design and plans. No updated signs yet, but work is supposed to be done by year end. Here's their email:The plans for the Rahway step replacement are done, including plans for both the eastbound steps that are currently closed, as well as the westbound center-island steps from Irving Ave. This work will also include installation of a new door beneath the eastbound stairway to allow for additional storage space and inspection of the bottom of those steps in the future. The plans will go to DCA for review, and we will work to have a bid assembled as soon as possible for this work. If all goes well, we hope to have this project completed by the end of this year.
wankers. i contacted them in may just after the massive fairhike and this was their initial response. Dear Paul,We are replying to your feedback of 5/21/2010 regarding subject: When is this going to be fixed?. Your information was forwarded to the appropriate departments for review and consideration. Unfortunately, the inconvenience will be an extensive one. Before the contract can be awarded, the plans had to be submitted to the DCA (Department of Community Affairs), for their approval. We are awaiting their approval, after which, the contract will be put out for bids, and awarded. NJ TRANSIT appreciates you taking the time to share this information. It is important to us as we work to improve our service to you. Thank you for contacting NJ TRANSIT. Sincerely,Carmine Melillo NJ TRANSIT Customer Relations Specialist
Apologies in advance for posting an off topic question, but it does involve the Rahway Station. I am moving to your area in the Fall and I'll be about 3 miles from the station, which I'll use every day. I was thinking of getting back and forth in a Vespa type scooter. Is this done with any regularity in Rahway? Is is considered too dangerous there? Is there sccoter parkling, or do people use bike racks? Thanks.
Traffic is very light in the morning, and coming home at night too for the most part in town. There are bike racks, not sure where you would park a Vespa. You need a yearly parking permit for cars near the station or daily parking if you can get it in the lots. However, if you are going to be using that Vespa on major roadways such as St. Georges Avenue I'd think twice about it. That doesn't seem very safe to me. On the local neighborhoods roads you would be fine.