You’ll have to write a history of this area - very sad, indeed. I gave up on NJ and Newark in particular after that horrendous murder in the parking lot at Short Hills Mall at Christmas time by Newark ghetto rats, remember? It broke my heart and so disheartened me. That’s when I knew I was finished with this state.
In all the time I’ve passed the Lautenberg station, I’ve never seen any but a hand full of people get on. That’s what made me say: BOONDOGGLE!! Perhaps I was not traveling at the right time; I no longer do rush hour.
I think of my lovely parents who left New York City for NJ in 1960 because of the low taxes and family-friendly atmosphere. My dad worked for Western Electric in Newark.
I do remember that murder; it was shocking because it showed how far the ferals could go to commit crime (originally a carjacking, if I recall correctly). That is an exclusive mall, and one of the animals borrowed his mother’s car to get there.
I’ve only been to the Lautenberg station once, and it was crowded only because there was no parking yet at the new Giants Stadium (the old stadium was still being demolished). We had to get there by train after parking at the Lautenberg station.
Yes, those people left NYC for a suburban life with lower costs (where they could have cars); now that dream is crumbling here. Taxes are higher and car insurance is through the roof...