NJ Transit's board approved fare hikes for its rail and bus lines today to attempt to bridge its $300 million budget gap. Hikes were originally going to be 25% across the board, but now some services will just go up by 10%; the agency said its "revised fare and service plan...eases impacts to the majority of its riders - many who are transit dependent riders, including low-income customers, seniors and people with disabilities." more ›

Yesterday Governor Paterson announced a $10.7 billion plan that would improve freight and passenger rail service between NYC and various points upstate. The state hopes to vie for federal funds that would help double the number of intercity rail passengers along New York’s three major corridors (New York City to Albany, Albany to Niagara Falls and Albany to Montreal), increase freight service, and improve train performance—and this would, hopefully, reduce reliance on air and auto travel. Senator Schumer said, “From Albany to Rochester and from Poughkeepsie to Plattsburgh, we must update and reinvent our rail network to unclog the transportation arteries cutting off potential economic growth Upstate." However, hopes for a "high speed train" don't quite mean a bullet train: The Post explains, "At full development, Paterson envisions a train system that peaks out at 150 mph" ("Currently, the top speed on most tracks is 70 mph"). more ›

In the 1960s, New York Central Railroad invested in high speed rail and jet powered train testing, referred to as the M-497 tests. A U.S. rail-speed record of 183.85 miles per hour, which stands to this day, was set back then -- but eventually the train was scrapped for parts. more ›