The New York Times recently ran a story which really got a lot of Metro-North riders up in arms – that the beloved Bar Car on the New Haven Line may be on its way out due to budgetary and other concerns (which was a little confusing, since its the only car on the train which generates a small profit).

Connecticut Commuter Rail Council Chairman Jim Cameron was interviewed by NYT Transit Reporter Michael Grynbaum for the story, and felt that the Times had misrepresented the status of the cars, which he says aren’t going away anytime soon.

I was confused about this, so I emailed Jim this morning to help clarify.

My confusion stems from the following:

1. New Haven Line is going to start receiving new M8 cars ‘real soon now’.
2. The new M8 rail cars cannot be attached to the older (current) cars – like Bar Cars.
3. Non of the new M8 cars on order are Bar Cars.

Jim confirmed my suspicion – if you regularly ride a train which has a Bar Car attached – you are NOT going to be getting the new M8 railcars anytime soon. It’s one or the other.

Jim assured me that Bar Car supporters won’t care – they will want the Bar Car over the new railcar.

However, I reminded him that the Bar Car is just one car on the whole train – everyone else on the train who doesn’t use the bar car will want a new railcar.

But I’m sure that won’t stir up any conflict