http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/ Regular commuters will know it as we've all done it from time to time. Running late just enough that if you sprint, you'll catch that train, but wait... Those leather, hard-soled shoes are from cross-trainers. Suite pants are not suitable running attire either. Don't forget the briefcases and lunch bags waiting you down. So the result is this goofy looking run. Oh, and there are bunch of people watching you too. But like I said, it all happens to us at one time or another. en Copyright 2007 Tue, 15 May 2007 10:51:31 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss find out your train has been indefinitely delayed. The wires are down or there may be "police action" along the route that can result in hours of delay. It is always best to know a few ways to fix the problem, depending what is causing the delay, how long the delay may be and if it's the morning or evening commute. In the morning, driving in (especially if you can carpool) may be an option. Working from home is something to consider if you have access to what you need to do. You may also be able to drive to other area train lines that can help you reach your destination. In the evening, sometimes you’ll find yourself buying dinner and waiting it out. Otherwise maybe a different train line can drop you somewhere close and from there either call a friend or a cab. A cab all the way home may be expensive but worth the time. See if you can share a cab with a few other people headed in the same direction and split the cost. This is where it becomes useful to recognize the "regulars". Don't forget if there are alternate train routes that you may use, try to keep a copy of their recent schedules in your bag too, otherwise check the transit website for more information.]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/plan-b-c-and-d/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/plan-b-c-and-d/ Schedules & Delays alternate routes carpool delays waiting work from home Tue, 15 May 2007 10:51:31 -0500 Look for people that travel in the direction that you need. They may be able to impart some wisdom based on their experiences. This can be particularly true when you need to commute into a city and have several connection options. Some connections may be easier to make than others and don't forget to consider the cost issue. Sometimes you need to balance cost with time and flexibility. Connecting between two regional trains may be more direct but you risk lengthy layovers especially one train is running late. Connecting with a subway may increase your commute cost but leaves you with more flexibility for making connections. Make sure you check the schedule because during off peak hours the subway may not run as frequently as it does during rush hour and you’ll need to build that into your plan if you need to leave early. Finally, do your own research on the various transit sites as there may be a hidden route that your fellow travelers have not seen yet. Good luck finding your next route! ]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/changing-routes/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/changing-routes/ Save Money Save Time Schedules & Delays change research schedule subway train Fri, 11 May 2007 08:39:14 -0500 ]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/keep-an-umbrella-handy/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/keep-an-umbrella-handy/ Weather baggage extras rain umbrella Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:01:35 -0500 parking lot is on the empty side so that upfront and center spot that you dream about may actually be yours. Also consider that with fewer cars in the parking lot, there's less chance of being run over. Sometimes it's useful just to focus on the small victories when you can't or don't want to burn a vacation day. The train is a little on the empty side so if you don't get a seat to yourself, you should at least have more elbowroom than usual. With less people in the office, it will probably be a quiet day. You should be able to tie up loose ends with fewer interruptions unless you need answers from someone than you're just up a creek until after the holiday. I said benefits not nirvana! Maybe your employer will even left you leave early. I should give you a word of warning about the homebound route. Your trip home may be more crowded than usual depending on the holiday. With people leaving early (possibly including you) and more non-commuters are traveling with their baggage, your easy ride in may turn into a standing-only ride home. Sometimes the train line learns the holiday traffic patterns and adds cars. It's always fun to be standing on a platform surrounded by 4 cars worth of people when only 2 full cars show up. The benefits along with a few downsides really only apply to holidays that do not affect the train schedule. Even if the trains and parking lots are near empty that day, it is not fun to be left with less train options especially when there are connections involved. Those are the days that I definitely consider taking off or working from home.]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/benefits-of-working-holidays/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/benefits-of-working-holidays/ Schedules & Delays holiday parking lot schedule Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:07:40 -0500 WageWorks or TransitChek. These services allow employees to pay for their commute cost with pretax dollars up to a federal limit. Your employer may even kick in a percentage to help reduce your costs. All those savings really do add up on an annual basis. Depending on the service your employer is participating in, you may also receive your pass at home or be able to pick it up in the office. This will save you time from standing on lines especially when you remember last minute that it's time to get a new pass. Just don't forget to keep an eye on the mail. If your employer doesn't participate in a program you could always try suggesting it to Human Resources as it would be a great benefit for both the company and its employees. Otherwise, check with your train line to see if you can mail order your pass. At least you could save some time.]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/look-for-commuter-benefits-through-your-employer/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/look-for-commuter-benefits-through-your-employer/ Save Money commuter assistance program mail order pass save money save time ticket Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:50:08 -0500 At least 3 times per year, probably more, new train schedules are published and the crew swaps jobs. When you're riding the train long enough you'll start to notice the crew shifts - especially when your favorite conductor switches out. Generally it seems to happen about seasonably, give or take. The new schedules either change a little (a few minutes here or there), not at all or a lot (add trains, drop trains, change by 15+ minutes, etc). The few minute changes are usually to bake in extra time for trains that don't make their expected schedule, which can result in line congestion - train traffic. Bigger changes may be the result of construction, budgeting service cuts and track sharing. If two train lines are sharing the same tracks, changes to one schedule will affect the other. On my one train line, they temporarily add extra trains for the winter holidays. Unusually the big changes are rare, but they do happen. You may need to change your routine. One change for my schedule last year meant I had to start waking up 15 minutes earlier to make it into work by the same time. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. You generally don't have to worry about missing a new schedule. See if your train line has an announcements mailing list that you can sign up for. Some conductors will clue you in especially if there's a noticeable difference coming or keep an eye out for boxes in the station with big signs saying new schedules particularly near the ticket office. Make sure you have a current copy on you to minimize surprises when traveling outside of your usual schedule. Those are probably the trains that will see more changes than the peak hour trains.]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/keep-your-out-for-new-schedules/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/keep-your-out-for-new-schedules/ Schedules & Delays crew schedule updates Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:40:51 -0500 Nobody likes rushing to the platform only to find out the train is delayed. The TV news and radio will tell you about major delays such suspended service, but are not helpful for those annoying 5-10 minute delays. Some train lines provide tools to help you keep up on how the trains are running. One of the train lines I ride offers updates via email and text messaging. I use the email service but find it is only useful in the afternoons because I don't check my email at the pre-crack of dawn (surprising I know). Alerts are also sent out when new schedules are about to come into effect. My other train line just release a new service that gives us a real-time look into the "trains big board". It requires you to know the train number. For easy access, I posted a list of train numbers and departing time on my way cubical wall. I can peak at this before running out of the office. Hopefully there will be a future update to bridge the train number gap. For now, I know how much rushing I need to do. But remember, delays are only estimated and the train could show up on-time or close to it. http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/nobody-likes-delay-surprises/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/nobody-likes-delay-surprises/ Schedules & Delays delays schedule updates Sun, 01 Apr 2007 20:16:55 -0500 There's a funny line in the movie "The Love Letter" with Kate Capshaw, Ellen DeGeneres and Tom Selleck where Tom Everett Scott (playing Johnny) makes a joke about being early because he saved time by not conditioning. His joke turns into a useful idea. Rinsing takes time and money (for both the product and water). When you're live is driven by a train schedule, cutting as many corners as possible in the morning are helpful. I'm sure the hairstylists out there will try and argue with me on this one. Don't argue with me. Argue with the manufacturers to create more 2-in-1 products. I recently started using Aussie products and love them. They seem to work well and promote themselves as using natural, Earth-friendly ingredients. Pantene also makes a few 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner combos. If you really need extra conditioning beyond what a 2-in-1 can do, try a leave-in conditioner instead. At least you save on the rinsing time. Aussie has a nifty product that’s a 2-in-1 mouse and leave-in conditioner. http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/try-2-in-1-products/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/try-2-in-1-products/ Save Money Save Time money shampoo time Fri, 09 Mar 2007 21:45:36 -0500

Slow down and follow the rules of the road. Tickets and accidents will make you miss your train or worse (injured or arrested maybe).

Even though pedestrians have the right of way, don’t assume you’re going to get it. Two words - defensive walking.

Expect the common sense rules of road won’t be followed. Be prepared to stop or jump out of the way. Take responsibility for your safety.

I still stand by my own saying, which I hate to say, "And you wonder why the average NJ Auto insurance rates are the highest in the nation?" Be safe out there!]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/expect-the-unexpected-in-the-parking-lot/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/expect-the-unexpected-in-the-parking-lot/ Parking Lot Safety driving rules safety walking Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:41:53 -0500 ]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/clean-up-after-yourself/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/clean-up-after-yourself/ Carrying Stuff clean up manners trash Fri, 02 Mar 2007 20:24:49 -0500 work from home or leave early to beat the storm (and traffic). When that's not possible, there are few tools that should be in the car. Obviously, you should have an ice scraper to get the snow and ice off the car. Don’t forget it's a crime to drive with snow on the top of your car. It can create a hazardous situation. There have been a bunch of news stories about people being injured by flying ice. I like those ice scrapers with a telescoping handle so that I can brush off the top of my car first. A snow shovel comes in handy when you've been plowed in. Just dig out your tires so you can get going. Deicer spray is a must in my car to help get the thawing process going. I can be impatient about certain things and that’s one of them. Just make sure to keep that bottom standing up. It smells terrible when it leaks. I also keep a container of rock salt just in case too. Sometimes I keep a pair of rubber boots in my car too to use when the snow is too deep and I want to keep my feet dry. This year I have a new addition, rubber floor mats. Technically they are a hand-me-down from my mom who just got new ones. These are actually a decent idea all year round to keep the floors of your car cleaner especially if your parking lot is grave-based. I guess for special occasions when you want to impress someone you could take them out. Otherwise, who needs the mud grinding into the carpet? Safe driving everyone! ]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/dont-forget-to-winterize-your-car/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/dont-forget-to-winterize-your-car/ Safety Weather ice snow winter Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:17:55 -0500 fare discount if you buy a monthly pass, weekly pass or ten-tripper tickets compared to buying one-way passes each day. For example in my experience a weekly pass equates to 4 roundtrip fares. That means Friday’s roundtrip is "free". With the monthly pass, it's about 3 weeks paid with one week "free". Saving money is a beautiful thing considering city-working is expensive. Ten-trippers have their advantages especially if you travel on-peak one way and off-peak the other. You may get a great bang for your buck there. And because I've seen them as individual ticket stubs, you can leave them behind unlike a monthly pass where leaving that behind would be painful and costly. Don't forget to plan in advance. If you have a vacation coming up, figure out if a monthly pass makes sense or maybe individual weekly passes may be more cost-effective that month. If you have a 2 week vacation coming up, a monthly pass probably won't make sense for that month. Check out weekly and ten-trippers at that point. A little bit of math can go a long way to saving you a good couple of bucks. ]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/buy-fares-in-bulk/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/buy-fares-in-bulk/ Save Money fare money monthly ten-trippers vacation weekly Sat, 17 Feb 2007 18:25:48 -0500 Yuck! In the spring, jackets and sweaters can also work. In the summer if I'm not carrying a layering sweater, I will break my "don't carry anything extra" rule and shove my scarf into my bag because it’s light enough, with a big benefit. PS - this all works much better with a window seat. That's possible when you're an early stop on the train. After a week or so, you’ll figure out the perfect seat for the best sleep too.]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/macgyver-a-pillow/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/macgyver-a-pillow/ Sleeping On The Train comfort scarves sleeping sweaters Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:37:19 -0500 So at least once a week, or even more frequently when I remember, I look through my bag to clear out the strays. Cleaning out your bag helps keep the "bag upside-down" mess to a minimum too. And, on the horrible occasion that your bag goes missing, there's less stuff lost for that matter. That reminds me, I should run and give my bag a once-over before I get sidetracked.]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/clean-out-your-baggage-regularly/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/clean-out-your-baggage-regularly/ Carrying Stuff baggage organizing Fri, 09 Feb 2007 17:07:34 -0500 like your car and house keys. I had to pick up my father a couple of times from the train station because he left his keys in the office. The two miles to pick him up wasn’t a big deal. At the time I was using a train station 15 miles a way. That sort of call home wouldn’t have gone over particularly well. Certain things (books, coats, lunch boxes, etc) that won't be earth shattering if you leave them behind for the day, but there are others that will be a serious inconvenience. So before leaving the office, make sure you have:

• your keys,
• your wallet, and
• your cellphone.

It's also a good idea to make sure you have your train pass, but if you have your wallet that problem can be resolved if necessary. To make it easy to keep these things on you, try keeping these items in your jacket (in the winter you won't be running out without that) or in your pocket. I also try to keep anything I need to take home in obvious sight so that it's harder to forget things. When I’m running for the door, if it’s not in plain sight, I’m probably going to forget it.]]> http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/have-keys-will-travel/ http://www.stupidtrainrun.com/tips-and-tricks/articles/have-keys-will-travel/ Carrying Stuff Save Time embarrassment forgetting keys necessities remembering Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:23:19 -0500