http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/13/nyregion/new-york-today-the-trouble-with-the-transit.html 2016-10-13 12:15:51 New York Today: The Trouble With N.J. Transit Thursday: Commuting headaches, a wine and food festival, and thousands of jack-o’-lanterns. === Good morning on this hazy Thursday. Well before the fatal train crash in Hoboken last month, Commuters felt frustrated over an increase in delays. Cars were too crowded. The agency hadn’t had a permanent leader for nearly a year. It was operating on a meager budget. The “When the crash happened, it brought to light a whole other set of issues,” New Jersey Transit was once seen as the gold standard of commuter railroads, Ms. Fitzsimmons said, and as an integral part of the state’s future. “It allowed New Jersey communities to prosper,” she said. “It had good on-time performance and was seen as a really reliable way to get into the city.” “But now,” she added, “the reputation has really taken a hit.” Navarrow Wright, 46, one of the railroad’s farthest-flung passengers, lives just outside Philadelphia in Mount Laurel, N.J., and works in Manhattan. His commute can take five hours each day — often longer with delays. For crucial appointments at work, Mr. Wright leaves early — traveling two trains ahead of the one that would get him into Penn Station on time. His take on the railroad service, after 15 years as a passenger? “The only thing that’s consistent is that it’s unpredictable.” Here’s what else is happening: It’s not just the morning commute, the weather is uncertain as well. A cloudy (and foggy) start will give way to sunny skies by noon and By your afternoon coffee break, the clouds will probably have returned. Will it rain? There’s a chance. Fortunately, less erratic days are ahead: Sunny skies are in the forecast through the weekend. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • This time of year, some of the best art can be found in gourd form. One fruity display you shouldn’t miss: the As part of the display, you can stroll down the Pumpkin Promenade, traverse the Pumpkin Zee Bridge and enter the Pumpkin Planetarium to look up at a pumpkin-covered sky. You can also see the Headless Horseman and visit Jurassic Park while admiring the thousands of Tickets are selling out — you can (We’d suggest traveling by car from the city, or taking a quick train ride on the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central Station.) New York Today is a weekday roundup that stays live from 6 a.m. till late morning. You can For updates throughout the day, What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, Follow the New York Today columnists, You can find the latest New York Today at