05.06.05
Riding the light rail
Last night after walking down the Jersey City waterfront I had the opportunity to take the NJ Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail home for the first time since I moved here. It was slick, but I’m a bit confused by it, to be honest.
For starters, you buy your ticket and have it stamped by this validation machine at the station. When the train comes, you have to push a button on the side of it or the doors will not open. No one takes your ticket. You just sit there and ride. There are signs that warn that “enforcement officers” may come and check tickets sometimes, but otherwise, there is no one to see if you have actually paid. And when you want to get off, you have to push a button to open the door again, or you’ll miss your stop.
I don’t understand how a public transportation system can make money for NJ Transit on the “honor system”. Imagine if retail stores worked that way.
Regardless, it was a very smooth, quiet ride — even if it does encourage freeloaders.
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