NJT/MN Football trains run again for 2010

[HLCX]

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/8643/1555089.jpg
Bridgeport 9:25am.

[7express]

Could one take this "football" train from Bridgeport to Penn station (get off the train there) with a Bridgeport to GCT ticket?? The MTA site says the football ticket costs the regular price of a one way ticket PLUS an extra $10.50 into New Jersey, so I would assume I could take it from Bridgeport to Penn Station with a Bridgeport to GCT ticket. Anyone done this before??

[Terrapin Station]

Could one take this "football" train from Bridgeport to Penn station (get off the train there) with a Bridgeport to GCT ticket??

According to what was reported when this service began, the answer is yes, no problem.

[Train2009]

This Morning's trip had ML Cab Car #7004 and ALP46 #4607

Video from Stamford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDjSCbwkH8k

[Otto Vondrak]

Shot the train at Port Chester this am...damn train had cab car leading west!

[Clean Cab]

Only a few chances left to catch this train as it most likely will not run next year. This was a two year project and sadly I don't think the low ridership numbers and all the budget cutting will allow it to be saved. I enjoyed the few times I got to operate these trains. It was something quite interesting to operate different equipment on new territory.

[Amtrak7]

Only a few chances left to catch this train as it most likely will not run next year. This was a two year project and sadly I don't think the low ridership numbers and all the budget cutting will allow it to be saved. I enjoyed the few times I got to operate these trains. It was something quite interesting to operate different equipment on new territory.

How low was the ridership?

[DutchRailnut]

very very low, read some of post in last few pages.
great while it lasted but I expected a end much sooner.

[Terrapin Station]

I don't think the low ridership numbers and all the budget cutting will allow it to be saved.

What low ridership numbers are you referring to?

[Otto Vondrak]

Only a few chances left to catch this train as it most likely will not run next year. This was a two year project and sadly I don't think the low ridership numbers and all the budget cutting will allow it to be saved. I enjoyed the few times I got to operate these trains. It was something quite interesting to operate different equipment on new territory.

Lack of marketing support didn't help, either.

[HBLR]

I've come across several passengers who have used this service. They told me they found out from the ticket office people. It seems and feels to me like this was more of an experiment than any serious long term service. I could see a benefit of doing this for army or navy vs philly or ny teams, but as you said Otto, it needs more publicity, namely on sports radio, and plugs on sports talk shows on tv, because that's the people who would be using the service.

[MNCRR9000]

I definietly agree that they need better publicity. Talking with friends and family most of them didn't even know that the service existed. Also listening to 660 WFAN I haven't heard any commercials regarding the Meadowlands Service. If they publicize the heck out of the service than I ideally the ridership should go up.

[Train2009]

I definietly agree that they need better publicity. Talking with friends and family most of them didn't even know that the service existed. Also listening to 660 WFAN I haven't heard any commercials regarding the Meadowlands Service. If they publicize the heck out of the service than I ideally the ridership should go up.

I know News 12 Westchester had a report on the first run last year.

[Jeff Smith]

As a proponent of joint service, I think this was a good demo run showing that at least equipment wise it can be done. Whether or not it fits in the schedule some day remains to be seen.

As for the service itself, well, I think it fell victim to a few things. Yes, lack of advertising/promotion was big. I also think the service being limited to 1pm Sunday games (a necessary limitation, I know) was another; the average rider could not get in a rhythym. There's also the tail-gate mentality to a football fan; almost similar to NASCAR in that a trip to the game is like a trip to the track; a day-long outing.

Mostly, though, I think the market served by the train was limited. I have no idea where the fans of the Giants and Jets live these days (the Jets I think are still mostly LI), but I imagine that there just weren't enough fans to draw from along the New Haven line.

I can't access a football schedule here, but when's the last run set for?

Lastly, it's not as if the Meadowlands train service has gone away; NH line customers just have to find a way to get to Penn now.

[Clean Cab]

My personal opinion is that football fans aren't really train riders. Most football fans like to drive their cars to the games and participate in tail gating parties.