Facebook Group “Save the Princeton Dinky” asks questions

The following is a response to the question, “Do you support the concept plan for a BRT system that would replace the dinky and its right-of-way with a road for bus-rapid-transit buses? Please explain.”

If rail is the gold standard for mass transit, why would anyone want to replace the Dinky? I have not seen enough information on the proposed BRT to convince me that replacing the Dinky is the right thing to do for our community. At the same time, the Dinky’s service has become less than reliable, and the system operates at a huge loss each year. I want to be a part of planning for the future of the Dinky, so I would like to see all reasonable options considered.

I would like to know:

• What is the cost/benefit analysis of the conversion of the Dinky line to a BRT right-of-way? Who would pay those costs, why would they be willing to do it, and what are the benefits?

• What are the plans for the development of the Princeton Junction train station? If parking becomes restricted to West Windsor residents only, or if parking becomes widely available, how will that impact the commuting habits of Princeton residents?

• How rapid could the BRT be when we have so many pedestrian crossings that are not associated with traffic lights?

• What are the environmental implications of converting to BRT?

• Can we be guaranteed that the BRT will meet every train — something the Dinky no longer does?

• Running a line (Dinky, light rail or BRT) to the top of Nassau St., an additional three- to four-tenths of a mile, would put mass transit within walking distance, about one mile or a fifteen-minute walk, of a great many more people, but will they use it? For whatever reasons, ridership of the FreeB is less than expected. Until we know why, we need to err on the side of caution.

Destroying the Dinky is forever. It is a historic icon that clearly has great value to many people, as evidenced by the growth of the facebook group.   Any decision regarding the Dinky’s future requires careful consideration by all the stakeholders.

Here are some links with information about transportation in Princeton.

Moving Princeton Forward: Looking at Transportation Alternatives for the Princeton Community and the Route 1 Corridor by Christian Peralta (pdf)

comments and information on the BRT by Marvin Reed (Word)

Executive Summary of Final Report on new local Princeton bus route (pdf)