Transit Authority
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

Q: At the Verrazano Bridge, there are spotlights anchored to the ground behind each tollbooth. They point up and to the right, and they seem to be either purple or red. What are they for?
A: According to our friendly neighborhood Port Authority spokeswoman, Tiffany Townsend, the Port Authority has these lights at all the tollbooths in New York City and on the New Jersey Turnpike.
The lights are all the same color, but they look slightly red or slightly purple depending on the angle from which you are seeing them.
I couldn’t find out exactly what kind of bulb is used, but they’re specifically designed to illuminate license plates. Cameras positioned at the tolls snap photos of front and back plates, and the lights cast minimal shadow on the plates, allowing for a crisper photos. The photos, of course, are later used to catch drivers who zoom right on through without paying the toll.
Q: I frequently see Amtrak trains at the yard in Long Island City as the LIRR train rides past. Have Amtrak trains ever gone out to Long Island and the Hamptons? Would Amtrak consider a “Hamptons Special?”
A: The trains you see are part of Amtrak’s Sunnyside maintenance and turnaround station. Any trains terminating at or starting from Penn Station may spend time at this station. Its existence has absolutely nothing to do with passenger service or routes.
As far as service to the Hamptons, I’m assuming you want some kind of special express run out to the Hamptons, as the Long Island Rail Road runs local service to the Hamptons several times a day, especially during the summer.
Luckily, the MTA is aware of the demand for quick runs out to Montauk. The Cannonball has been making daily trips to the Hamptons for more than 100 years. It makes two stops in New York, at Penn Station and Hunter’s Point, and doesn’t stop again until Westhampton.
The MTA Web site describes it as their most popular train, “by far.” And it makes the run in two hours, 37 minutes.
Q: People that take New Jersey Transit trains into the city can occasionally take Amtrak during the morning and evening rush hours. How come Amtrak doesn’t have the same deal with Metro North? Wouldn’t it be convenient for West Side commuters?
A: It would be convenient, more comfortable, and faster, because it makes fewer stops. However, Amtrak is not going to start honoring MetroNorth tickets, and in fact it’s going to stop honoring New Jersey Transit tickets within two years.
Basically, New Jersey transit has been “borrowing” train service that runs along the Northeast Corridor line for the last 20 years, because it did not have the capacity to move all the passengers who needed service. With the opening of the new Seacaucus transfer station and the associated expansion of service, New Jersey Transit can now handle those routes.
Those Amtrak trains that accept New Jersey Transit tickets will be given to New Jersey, and Amtrak will phase out its participation.
Got a question about getting around New York? E-mail transit@nysun.com.