Connecticut
Opinion: Don't believe the transit hype
Don’t believe everything you read or see in the media.
Sage advice on any topic, but especially when it comes to coverage of transportation. A couple of recent stories illustrate my point.
Improved cell service on Metro-North
Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto held a media event recently in Stamford to promote the fact that AT&T has improved its cell coverage along the New Haven line.
 newspackHandleImageError(this);” alt=”” class=”wp-image-953193″ srcset=”https://ctmirror.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jim-cameron-talking-combo-1-336×93.jpg 336w, https://ctmirror.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jim-cameron-talking-combo-1-400×111.jpg 400w, https://ctmirror.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jim-cameron-talking-combo-1.jpg 458w” sizes=”(max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px”></figure>
</div>
<p>That telephone company spent $60 million installing 30 high-powered macro towers and small cell nodes, some of them on CDOT land, in a public-private partnership. Many are specifically aimed at dead spots in service on the trains.
<p>This is good news… if you are an AT&T subscriber. If you use Verizon or T-Mobile and find an area with no cell coverage on your commute, this won’t help you. The AT&T enhancements are for its customers only. That means only about a third of cellphone using commuters will benefit by this enhancement.
<p>There is no word from the other companies on how they might be filling holes in their service. But… it’s a start.
<p>However if you read the media coverage, you’d think <em>every </em>commuter’s cellphone coverage had been improved! “Cellphone service to get upgrade on Metro-North rail line,” proclaimed the Hearst papers. “Wireless service upgrades coming to New Haven line for CT commuters,” said WSHU public radio. “Gov. Lamont and AT&T launch $6M infrastructure project to improve wireless cell service for Metro-North commuters,” reports News12 TV.
<aside class=)
Improved cell coverage is a crucial issue for commuters looking to be more productive during train-time. But attention-grabbing headlines such as these may lead to a perception of better service. The more you’re told “cell service is getting better” the more you’ll think it is. Or so the pols hope.
But… don’t believe the hype.
Faster than Acela?
In April another media event, this time at Grand Central, celebrated faster train service from New Haven: three early morning (5 – 7 a.m.) super-express trains, one of them cutting ten minutes off its old running time, making that single train “faster than Acela.”
Great news… if you’re a pre-dawn-commuter from New Haven. Again, kudos to Metro-North for much needed signal and infrastructure improvements. But has the average commute to Grand Central really improved? Not really. The exception is not the rule.
With limited stops these super-express trains still average only 52 mph. Regular express trains get about 46 mph and locals run just 38 mph. Remember: the M-8 cars on Metro-North are capable of 80 mph.
How did the media portray these improvements?
“New Metro-North schedule, with shorter trips on New Haven line, now in effect,” trumpeted the Hearst papers. “Metro-North Is Faster Than Acela,” promised Bloomberg (quoting MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber).
The “faster than Acela” claim is technically true… for one Metro-North train. Keep in mind that New Haven to Grand Central Terminal is 73 miles, but to Penn Station (on Amtrak) is 75 miles. But not wanting to always sound like a grouch, I say good for Metro-North.
What worries me is the media coverage which over generalizes and lacks the caveats I’ve cited. Telling commuters repeatedly that their trains are running faster, when they are not, may be persuasive, but it is not accurate.
So, take media coverage of transportation with a grain of salt. The headlines don’t always tell the full story. And don’t believe the hype.
=============
I am proud to report that “Talking Transportation” recently won an award from CT-SPJ, the Society of Professional Journalists, first place in the General Column / Commentary category… just one of a dozen such honors awarded to the Connecticut Mirror.
Fire crews were dispatched to Bonair Hill Rd for a structure fire around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
When they arrived, the single-family home was fully involved, according to Town Manager Brian Foley.
Foley said in a post on Facebook that an adult male was outside on the property in serious medical distress and was transported to Rockville hospital. He also mentions that several family members got out safely and were staying at a neighbor’s house.
The home was completely destroyed, and the town staff and Red Cross are working to ensure the displaced family has access to any needed services, Foley said.
Local CT State Fire Marshals are on scene investigating the incident.
Skip to content
Contact Us
HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – Dave Matthews Band’s U.S. tour will make a stop in Connecticut this summer.
The band scheduled a show for July 25, 2026 at The Meadows Music Theatre in Hartford, Live Nation announced on Tuesday.
The band’s tour starts on June 10 in New York and wraps up Labor Day weekend in Washington State.
Online ticket presale for members of the DMB Warehouse Fan Association started Tuesday at 9 a.m.
General on sale for tickets begins on Friday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. Check out LiveNation.com for more.
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
House destroyed after fire in Tolland
Where to find warming centers in Delaware during freezing temps
Looking for a job in Florida? The post office is hiring
Georgia lawmaker proposes renaming Sawnee Mountain for Trump
A 136kg body part was just found floating in the ocean in Hawai’i | Discover Wildlife
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Graham pushes back on Tillis’ criticism of Noem, Miller for labeling man killed by Border Patrol a ‘terrorist’
North Korea’s Kim to outline plans to boost nuclear arsenal
Rep. Ilhan Omar rushed by man on stage and sprayed with liquid at town hall event
Video: F.A.A. Ignored Safety Concerns Prior to Collision Over Potomac, N.T.S.B. Says
Democrats demand Kristi Noem be fired or warn impeachment will follow
-
Illinois6 days agoIllinois school closings tomorrow: How to check if your school is closed due to extreme cold
-
Sports1 week agoMiami’s Carson Beck turns heads with stunning admission about attending classes as college athlete
-
Pittsburg, PA1 week agoSean McDermott Should Be Steelers Next Head Coach
-
Lifestyle1 week agoNick Fuentes & Andrew Tate Party to Kanye’s Banned ‘Heil Hitler’
-
Pennsylvania2 days agoRare ‘avalanche’ blocks Pennsylvania road during major snowstorm
-
Sports1 week agoMiami star throws punch at Indiana player after national championship loss
-
Cleveland, OH1 week agoNortheast Ohio cities dealing with rock salt shortage during peak of winter season
-
Technology6 days agoRing claims it’s not giving ICE access to its cameras