Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. I’m sure a whole lot of crazy stories are going to come out today about voter fraud and other such stuff, particularly in disaster-struck areas, but note that most of these reports will end up never being substantiated and are nothing more than attempts to sway votes.

I wont be watching news reports during the day other than those reporting on disaster recovery. NYC metro is very slowly getting back in gear, and mass transit is lurching ahead in fits and starts, especially in NJ.

NJ Transit has done a miserable job of restoring service, and the Port Authority has done even worse, though they’ll claim that their equipment was even worse off due to the flooding. Tell that to the MTA, which got multiple lines up and running in less time than one could reasonably expect to happen when flood prevention isn’t a priority in the system (and it should). South Ferry and several other Lower Manhattan stations are still shuttered, but there is service to Lower Manhattan.

There’s no PATH to WTC or Hoboken, and no ETA on when that will be restored. They’re talking unprecedented damage at both stations, plus other locations on the system. Maybe they need to talk to the MTA on how to get things cleared up. The MTA had more track and more flooding, and yet got things going again.

At the same time, NJ Transit can’t handle the volume of passengers so they suspended service due to the crush of people yesterday on the rails. That’s what you get when you get a 1/3 of the normal trains running and expect people to try and get around. Buses are overcrowded. Mrs. Lawhawk had to wait for 5 buses before she found one with a seat (standing when you face delays at the Lincoln tunnel could mean you’re on your feet for an hour or more - on a bus that lurches this way and that - not exactly the safest thing). More bus service is needed, but the Port Authority Bus Terminal can’t handle the existing load and it most certainly can’t handle even more buses. That too is on the Port Authority.

So, as far as transit goes, NJ Transit and PATH are getting failing grades, while MTA is getting As across the board. It’s light night and day, and Gov. Christie needs to deal with that accordingly.

Speaking of governors, I’d like to see Gov. Cuomo adopt the even-odd gas plan in NY to help alleviate the lines, which he also attributes to hoarding. Lines are substantially less in NJ, but not quite normal as power is still a major issue in large parts of the area. That’s on the utilities to fix - and Gov. Cuomo has been slamming the utilities in NY for being slow especially outside Manhattan. Let’s see that tough talk translate into more than just talk. Hold them accountable.