Places you wish there was a transfer station but there isn't one

[DowneasterPassenger]

OK this is a weird topic, but it's something that I ruminate about, so here goes...

Consider Seacaucus Junction (Frank R. Lautenberg Station). That was built to provide a transfer between different NJ transit lines that crossed each other but previously had no connection. The success of this project is debatable, but it got me thinking several years ago about different places around the country (and world) where two different commuter/transit lines cross each other without any transfer stop, but it seems like there should be one.

One place I just mentioned in another thread is West Oakland, where four out of five BART lines pass right over Amtrak (UP) with no transfer. The nearest BART transfer is in Richmond. Seems like a no-brainer to build a Lautenberg Station there too.

Another place I saw was in Philadelphia, where the Market-Frankford Line passes right over the NEC, including the SEPTA R7 line, and there is no transfer connection. The location is called "Frankford Junction" and it looks like there once was a station there on old maps, which would at least be nearby to two MFL stops. The nearest MFL-R7 transfer is back at 30th St. station.

Got any others?

 

[AlanB]

I would never debate the success of Secaucus Junction at all. It is a huge uqualified success. Quite possibly the busiest NJT station outside of NYP. I question the extravagence of that station, especially since its usefulness will diminish if/when the new tunnels under the Hudson are built.

But again, it's a rousing success.

Now to answer your question, while not of the same magnatude, NJT missed the boat when the built the River Line by not building a connection to their Atlantic City service where the two lines cross. This is a mistake that they are looking into fixing, thankfully.

I'm less certain that connecting the Market Street Subway to the NEC is a missed opportunity. Not having a connection between North Philly and the SEPTA former Reading lines that cross right there is a missed opportunity. Of course they've also talked about making a track connection there too, which has never happened.

 

[The Metropolitan]

IN-TUH-res-ting!

The first place that comes to mind to me is where an awkward connection exists, but it is hardly regional thinking in scope - It's the lack of direct connection between the SEPTA R5 Line and Amtrak Keystone trains with the Norrsitown High Speed Line at Radnor. Yes, you can do use an R5 to Radnor, and then a bit of a walk, or use an alternate connection to Villanova on the other side, but the lines go right atop each other and are hardly connected, while Amtrak doesn't connect.

One could also argue for a similar connection near Relay (SW of Baltimore) between the MARC Penn line and Amtrak with the MARC Camden line, but the Camden's service is hardly robust enough at current to warrant the expense.

I've also lamented how awkward the connection is/isn't between the South Bend Station and the South Shore line, but its another example of a less than robust service.