Sunday morning rail news:
— Raymond P. Kenny, 69, NJ Transit’s senior vice president and general manager of rail operations, has died of complications from the COVID-19 virus, NJ Transit announced Saturday. NJ.com reports that Kenny, who came to NJ Transit in January 2019 after 50 years at the Long Island Rail Road, was praised by management and labor alike for his contributions. “The leadership and incredible wealth of railroad knowledge Ray brought with him has truly made a positive impact on our organization,” said NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett. “On behalf of everyone at NJ Transit, our thoughts and prayers are with Ray’s family and friends at this difficult time.” Jerome Johnson, general chairman of UTU Local 60, said Kenny “brought honestly and integrity to NJ Transit. He was exemplary for his supervision and, to our members, he made you feel like he cared.”
— Four members of New York’s city council are asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to shut down the New York City subway system to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The New York Post reports that council members Robert Holden, Eric Ulrich, Mark Gonaj, and Peter Koo wrote Cuomo saying that the subways are contributing to the spread of the virus because cars remain crowded because of reduced service, and because of homeless people staying in the subway cars, and that “as a result, MTA workers are dying at a faster rate than any other front-line workers.” As of Saturday, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokeswoman said the virus has killed 68 MTA employees; 2,496 have tested positive for the virus and another 4,365 are in quarantine.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Ray when he was with MTA, when I was researching my Trains article on East Side Access in 2014. He was very friendly, and most generous with his time. I’m saddened by his demise, and send condolences to his loved ones.
Erik, first of all, I think the bulk of us in NYC are still healthy. The call to close down was not for the general population, but the high level of infection and even death among TA employees. It seems particularly dangerous to be a bus operator.
The problem is that so many of the vital people still working need it to get to work.
Paul, as usual, makes no sense.
It’s a bit late calling for a shutdown of the subway system as a significant fraction of NYC’s population has already been infected and new case rate is falling. The shutdown would need to have been done a month ago to have a significant impact.
The average speed of NYC Transit. Walked with rolling luggage that day in 2005. Was smallest baby in hospital.
I think we are seeing how this virus shows no respect of persons…so so very sad