PRESS RELEASE October 9, 2014 One Seat Service in Jeopardy RVRC to Hold Special Meeting Oct 27 Representatives of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (RVRC) gathered Wednesday afternoon for their quarterly meeting with NJ TRANSIT officials to discuss details of Phase Two of the One-Seat Ride initiative, only to learn that NJ TRANSIT officials decided a few hours earlier that the off-peak evening service would not start in November. Somerset County Freeholder Peter Palmer and Trustees of the RVRC expressed profound disappointment about the change of plans so late in the discussions. We have been meeting with NJ TRANSIT officials for a long time to phase in direct train service, and we have proven the Raritan Valley Line (RVL) riders deserve direct train service into NYC. In addition to growing ridership, towns on the RVL have embraced Transit-Oriented Development more than any other line in the state, said Freeholder Palmer. The change of plans by NJ TRANSIT appears to have been caused by budgetary constraints, although the total impact of RVL evening, off-peak service is negligible in relation to NJ TRANSITs $1 billion plus annual budget. This announcement came despite NJ TRANSITs promise in April 2014 that direct service would be expanded to evening, off-peak time slots, an announcement made by Executive Director Ronnie Hakim to the Assembly budget committee on April 28, 2014. The Freeholder Board is determined to work with New Jersey Transit to overcome this temporary setback and restore the funding to keep moving forward, said Union County Freeholder and RVRC Trustee Bette Jane Kowalski. The cost of expanding one-seat rides on the Raritan Valley Line is very low, and the payback is enormous in terms of economic development, improved property values, and the productivity of our commuting workforce. The penny-wise, pound-foolish approach is not good for Union County or New Jersey. Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr said that the Coalitions working relationship with NJ Transit has been strained by the late announcement. I was on my way to our meeting at NJ Transit headquarters when I learned about the change of plans, she said. NJ TRANSIT announced the decision on Twitter earlier on Wednesday. The Coalition members who have been meeting with Transit officials understand the complex nature and budgetary implications of implementing these changes said Mayor Mahr. And we have been supportive of and cooperative with NJ TRANSIT. However, our responsibility is first to the residents of every town on the RVL and making sure they are treated fairly in the transit system, she added. Freeholder Palmer noted that Phase Two, which is off peak, evening direct trains after 8 pm, could still become a reality. At the joint meeting on Wednesday, Transit officials said they are working to secure other funding for the service and expect a decision in a few weeks. While the RVRC usually holds morning meetings, they are holding a special public meeting on October 27 from 6-8 pm to accommodate commuters at the Cranford Community Center at 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford (one block from the train station). A representative from NJ TRANSIT will be present along with Coalition members to update the public regarding service along the line and it will give the public the opportunity to ask questions, get information and share ideas. In light of recent developments, it is critical that residents, commuters and businesses attend this meeting and make their voices heard. The meeting is open to everyone from every town on the Raritan Valley Line. Elected officials and NJ TRANSIT need to hear how important the one seat ride is to everyone along this line, said Palmer.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 02:29:59 +0000
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