Editorial: Replacing the Dinky

Foremost among the concerns that members of the community have expressed about the Dinky are that the current train system has become unreliable and that it does not have convenient operating hours. A common complaint is that the Dinky’s schedule does not align with service toward Trenton but instead is coordinated with the New York City train. This discrepancy leads to unnecessarily long wait times for passengers headed south toward Trenton and on to Philadelphia. The train also stops running before midnight, meaning that passengers on late trains from New York City to Princeton Junction must pay for a cab or find other means of getting back to campus. As it is much cheaper to run a bus late at night than a train, the new rapid transit system would hopefully be able to provide transportation for passengers on late trains.

The proposed bus plan would benefit the University community in two ways. First, it would allow for the development of the future Arts and Transit Neighborhood without the obstacle of Princeton Station, which has been a point of contention in discussions between Princeton Borough and the University. Second, providing a reliable means of transportation to and from Princeton Junction would help the University to attract new faculty members who might choose to live in New York City or points north while teaching at Princeton.

From the point of view of the Borough and the Township, a shuttle bus system would also make transportation to Princeton Junction more accessible for local residents. Under the plan, the bus would run to Nassau Street, which would reduce the walk to the shuttle for many students and local residents.

Along with the advantages of the proposed system come a number of potential drawbacks. The Dinky has an undeniable historical value, and many members of the community are reluctant to see its service discontinued. It is also possible that the buses will run more slowly — albeit more often — than the Dinky. And if this system is to be implemented, NJ Transit will have to provide an alternate mode of transportation while the train tracks are being paved for the dedicated bus line. Given the clear advantages of the proposed plan, however, these setbacks would be worthwhile. At this juncture, a bus-based transportation system would fit the needs of the University and of the community more closely than the Dinky can, and it should be implemented as soon as possible.