RAIL GROUP URGES MOM RAIL LINE INCLUSION IN STATE'S 'CIRCLE OF MOBILITY'

Supports Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex Alignment in Testimony Before Senate Transportation Committee

TRENTON, NJ, May 4, 2000 -- New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers (NJ-ARP) representatives today urged members of the New Jersey State Senate Transportation Committee to include the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail alignment in the state's "Circle of Mobility" definition.

Conceived in 1986 by NJ-ARP (http://www.nj-arp.org), the statewide rail passenger advocacy group, the route alignment was first aired in an Asbury Park Press article on October 27 in that year. NJ-ARP has long championed the well positioned MOM routing because of its ability to draw from an estimated pool of two million residents in the heart of these fast developing central New Jersey counties.

While passenger trains have operated on various portions of this route, the MOM alignment is brand-new and designed to address New Jersey intrastate travel needs in the 21st century as well as serve traditional New York City commuters and regional rail customers. The MOM proposal is consistent with the State Development Plan and is exactly what it envisions for growth in transportation corridors.

"Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex residents, especially senior citizens, will gain access to both NJT and Amtrak rail systems, broadening their travel options once the MOM project is completed," said NJ-ARP Director William R. Wright. "At the same time, northern New Jersey rail riders will be able to reach additional towns, employment and recreational sites in the central part of the state creating new non-automotive transportation choices."

Therefore, NJ-ARP strongly urges the Transportation Committee to adopt the MOM alignment to reduce growing vehicular congestion and pollution that increasingly threatens the mobility and livability of these three fast growing counties. At the same time, the passenger rail line will also contribute to economic revitalization and redevelopment of towns where both tax revenues and property values have risen at rates slower than surrounding communities.

These files were created by Bob Scheurle.