Association of Railroad Passengers NEWSLETTER REPORT December 10, 2001 Published Bi-Monthly. PO Box 7305, Freehold, N.J. 07728-7305 NJ-ARP NAMED TO TRANSPORTATION TRANSITION TEAM: Keeping a promise made during the gubernatorial campaign, Governor-Elect Jim McGreevey has tipped his hand that he plans to actively address transportation issues statewide. Certainly, his walk from High Point to Cape May brought him into contact with a lot of citizens who are clamoring for an easier way to get around. Even though transportation issues took the back seat in the campaign, in favor of discussing abortion, guns and eliminating Parkway tolls, the…

McGreevey camp seems to have resurrected transportation by naming a Transportation Transition Team: The team is intended to act as a liaison between the outgoing and incoming administrations. Named as one of the co-chairs of the Transportation Team is Janine Bauer, Executive Director, Tri-State Transportation Campaign. NJ-ARP President Resto has already been in contact with representatives of the Transition Team and a meeting is tentatively scheduled for December 11. Being named to the team was no accident. President Resto, Director Wright and NJ-ARP member Ralph Braskett invested considerable time during the summer meeting with the campaigns of Jim McGreevey, Bret Schundler and Bill Schluter. So, the views to be expressed at the Transportation Transition Team should not be news to the McGreevey camp. But….

What will the Team’s role be?: With money not exactly being a free flowing commodity in this economy, what long term planning will be possible? Given a pretty significant deficit looming for Governor-Elect McGreevey, a lot of hard choices have to be made. Who will shout, “show me the money” loudest. That remains to be seen. Suffice to say that we may be only meeting to prioritize what should be done and in what order throughout the state. For our part, NJ Transit’s “Call to Action”, released on September 10 can be useful in pointing out the way for rail transportation – something we’ve been doing since our inception in 1980. When funds are scarce the key word is organization, organization, organization. Thus...

Elements supporting the Lackawanna Cut-Off are coming alive: President Resto, Director Papp and Sussex Liaison Apgar addressed the Mount Olive, NJ Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, November 20. Also addressing the Chamber was Norm Ressler of the Penn Jersey Rail Coalition. The meeting made possible by our own Win Greenleaf, showed the concerns of many small businesses in having better opportunities to travel within their communities. Traffic congestion has hit its critical mass and is hurting small business – and this was happening even before the economy started to sour. As a result of our presentation, the…

East Stroudsburg, PA Chamber of Commerce has asked both NJ-ARP and the Penn Jersey Rail Coalition to address its membership: The specific request was made through Norm Ressler of the Coalition and is scheduled for Friday, December 21 at 10:00 a.m. in East Stroudsburg. Interest is now stirring on both sides of the New Jersey- Pennsylvania border. For our part, we encourage all businesses and local elected officials to keep the heat on. Morris County Freeholder John Inglesino (R) Morris, has indicated that he would like to propose “Improvement Zones” that take into account intermodal opportunities along the Route 80 corridor. Already there is some intermodalism taking place in Mount Arlington where a Park and Ride/Bus Station is being constructed. The intermodal stop lies right alongside NJ Transit’s Boonton Line, a natural to have a station constructed there. Tim Apgar is already pushing this on NJ-ARP ’s behalf. Local newspapers are taking note of the advocacy activity (see Chris Gosier’s article in the November 25 issue of the Daily Record) and the Record’s is positive and balanced. Wish we could say the same of ….

The New York Times slamming PATH for Congestion: In a November 27 article by Randy Kennedy in the New York Times (“PATH Trains No Longer Genteel Ride”) it is pointed out that the PATH system is so overcrowded that it is no longer its once “genteel” self. Wow, what a surprise. Guess the Times will next report that the sun will rise in the east. The Times takes a gratuitous swipe at PATH, which has bent over backwards trying to accommodate as many riders as possible post September 11. PATH has announced additional service on the Newark-33rd Street line. It has closed the Christopher Street Station to passengers entering the station in the morning-due to SAFETY considerations. The Times seems to think that PATH can take the system it was given and magically transform it to accommodate the hordes of passengers now using it. Alas, PATH must play the hand it was dealt and that hand included a system largely constructed at the end of the 19th Century. The Times should have given PATH officials the opportunity to respond or perhaps given transit advocacy groups such as NJ-ARP the opportunity to publicly suggest solutiions(i.e.: a PATH shuttle bus between Christopher and 9th Streets, or honoring PATH Quick Cards on MTA's M8 crosstown). Disparaging PATH is not helpful. They should be commended for making the most of what is a less than ideal situation. New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers NEWSLETTER REPORT December 10, 2001 Page 2

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE NJ-ARP DIRECTORS and by Leonard Resto OFFICERS, 2001-2002 I am pleased that I have been re-elected to a second year as NJ-ARP President. I NJ-ARP OFFICE/NORTH appreciate the vote of support and pledge to continue our critical efforts at improving rail 1219 Garden Street transportation now more than ever. Hoboken, NJ 07030 201-963-8979 (all times) A year ago in this very column, I indicated that there were initial signs of an Douglas John Bowen, Director economic slowdown and the uncertainly about how that slowdown would hurt rail NJ-ARP OFFICE/SOUTH transit. Well, that slowdown is here with a vengeance and it has certainly been hastened 22 Hartford Road in our backyard by the terrorist attacks of September 11. The incoming administration Medford, NJ 08055 of Jim McGreevey will certainly have its hands full deciding how to plug a gaping deficit 609-654-5852 (eves only) without raising taxes. Yet, a recent study by the Voorhees Transportation Institute of Carol Ann Thomas, Director Rutgers University suggests a “modest” fare increase. For our part, I see a fare increase as a tax increase, especially if it does not include a corresponding hike in gasoline taxes ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ so that we start to level the playing field. N.J. Transit riders already pay the highest fare for distance traveled compared with other transit systems (see chart on page 3). NJ-ARP TELEPHONE HOTLINE Available 24 Hours; Being President for the past year, combined with a very understanding boss at my Updated on Sundays real job, has allowed me to literally criss-cross the state and see many rail projects first 201-963-8979 (all times) hand. Although I continue to not be familiar with the mechanics of a train, I realize NJ-ARP INTERNET HOTLINE more than ever, the vital importance of rail travel to our economy, environment and http://www.nj-arp.org/hotline.html quality of our lives. So, in line with this, I have set the following key priorities for the upcoming year: NJ-ARP INTERNET INFO http://www.nj-arp.org 1. Aggressive advocacy of rail projects throughout the state. These include, but Robert Scheurle, Webmaster are not limited to, Access to the Region’s Core (ARC), MOM, SNJLRT, Cape May Seashore Lines, HBLRT, Bergen County Rail Options, etc. Advocacy is our mission; ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ it’s what we do best’ it is what we must continue to do well. Leonard Resto, President 2. Continue to grow our membership. During the past year, we grew so much that 973-635-5373 (all times) we separated the Treasury duties from the Membership duties. Membership is now Douglas John Bowen, Vice President under the direction of Joe Versaggi, who also doubles as our Raritan Valley Liaison. We 212-714-6969 (days) are now at 397 members, an all time high. I want us to aim to reach 500 members in 201-798-6137 (eves) 2002. If each of us just gets one friend or acquaintance to join NJ-ARP, we will William R. Wright, Secretary easily hit that number. It is no accident that we were able to meet gubernatorial 908-272-5968 (all times) candidates Jim McGreevey, Bret Schundler and Bill Schluter this year. In each case, we William P. Armstrong, Treasurer were asked the question “How many members do you represent?” When we answer 732-919-3660 (eves only) nearly 400, we get people’s attention. I want to keep it that way and make an even better Jim Ciacciarelli, Director case to be heard. 856-988-5190 (days) Daniel Kerwin, Director 3. Continue to reach out to inner cities. While we made some progress in this area 732-296-1985 (eves) this year, it could have been more. We are now represented on the Jersey City Landmark Albert L. Papp, Jr., Director 908-647-6659 (all times) Conservancy’s Bergen Arches Sub-Committee thus allowing us to become more Carol Ann Thomas, Director involved in Jersey City. We need to continue our work in Camden, get into Newark, 856-642-3800 (days) Trenton, Morristown, etc. Many of these inner-city residents could be better served by 609-654-5852 (eves) rail, we need to help that a reality for them. ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ The cowardly attacks of September 11 affected every one of us and has brought us closer together as Americans. It’s my wish that it brings about an acute awareness of the importance of rail all throughout America. Together, we can make things happen. Tim Apgar, Sussex liaison 908-668-5000, x5485 (all times) As always, I’m here to represent you. It’s only with your ideas and enthusiasm that Orrin Getz, Rockland liaison 845-638-4494 (eves) we can accomplish what we do. Please contact me or any member of the Board with Paul Mulligan, Cape May liaison your ideas and suggestions. 732-382-8269 (eves) Joe Versaggi, Raritan Valley liaison On behalf of the entire Board, and myself I extend to you and your loved ones my 908-725-2316 (eves) very best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy new year. Jonathan Woolley, Bergen liaison 201-947-7316 (eves) New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers NEWSLETTER REPORT December 10, 2001 Page 3

COMPARATIVE MONTHLY RAIL FARES COSTS WITHIN THE U.S.A. RAIL AUTHORITY CITY MILES SUBURB MONTHLY

NJT New York 48 Princeton Jct $249 27 Metuchen $185

SEPTA Philadelphia 50 n/a n/a 24 Frazer $163

MTA-MNRR New York 52 Brewster $211 26 Port Chester $152

MTA-LIRR New York 49 Smithtown $200 25 Hicksville $154

MBTA Boston 50 Fitchburg $169 * 26 Lawrence $145 *

MARC Washington 49 Brunswick $164 25 Dorsey $123

METRA Chicago 49 Fox Lake $147 25 Wheaton $ 95

Caltran San Francisco 49 San Jose $142 25 Redwood City $ 89

* Receive 10% off your collision and property damage auto insurance (up to $75.00) when you buy and turn in to your insurance company 11 out of 12 passes per policy year.

Chart by NJ-ARP Member Joe Versaggi

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING! For over 20 years NJ-ARP has helped preserve, restore, improve, and unify New Jersey’s rail network. Projects such as Midtown Direct and the Waterfront Connection have unified disparate rail lines. We seek to continue the unification of our rail system by advancing such projects as Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex rail, Cape May Seashore Lines extension to Atlantic City-Philadelphia line, Secaucus Transfer station, and the Montclair Connection. The next 20 years should see the restoration of many more of our rail lines. NJ-ARP also seeks to revitalize the urban cores of our state with such new projects as Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and Southern New Jersey Light Rail. Our efforts are not limited to rail. We have been, and continue to be, staunch supporters of all intermodal transportation solutions including ferry, bus and even bicycle. One example: we’ve called for bus access to Secaucus Transfer, enhancing intrastate bus possibilities. We are also proud of our record of environmentally sound and anti-sprawl projects. Join NJ-ARP... and help us give future generations the gift of a good transportation infrastructure! [ ] Basic $20.00 [ ] Family $30.00 [ ] Sustaining $50.00 [ ] Patron $100.00 [ ] Student/Senior $10.00 (Up to 3 People) ❏ Enclosed is $_____ for ____ membership(s) in NJ-ARP. Name Address City/State Zip Phone (day) (eve) news.0112.arp New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers NEWSLETTER REPORT December 10, 2001 Page 4 NJ-ARP Meeting Schedule, 2002 NJ-ARP Hosts 2002 January 9 Rutgers Club, New Brunswick NARP Region III Meet February 9 Café Beethoven, Chatham, NARP members from Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon Jersey will be welcomed to the Doubletree Hotel in Jersey March 13 Rutgers Club, New Brunswick City, N.J. (adjacent to HBLRT Cove Station, near April (To be announced) PATH Pavonia/Newport Station) on Saturday, March 30, May 18 Café Beethoven, Chatham, as NJ-ARP hosts the 2002 NARP Region III meeting. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon The meeting is tentatively slated to begin at 10:30 a.m. and June 12 Good Friends Chinese Restaurant, run until 3:00 p.m. Following that, a tour of Hudson/Bergen Princeton Junction Light Rail Transit is scheduled, most likely including a ride Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday unless otherwise indicated. of the existing operation and a review of the current If you wish to attend, contact NJ-ARP at (201-798-6137) at least three extension being built to . (3) days prior to the meeting, leaving your name and telephone number. Also tentatively booked for the session: Jeff Warsh, executive director of New Jersey Transit Corp., and a key Brochures Available NARP official to update members on Amtrak’s (presum- for NJ-ARP Volunteers ably) cloudy future on Capitol Hill in 2002. Whether it’s at the local train station, the local newsstand, or at various Further details (including registration cost) will appear local street fairs, NJ-ARP volunteers have stepped up the visibility – in NJ-ARP ’s February NEWSLETTER REPORT, and will and delivered the group’s message. There’s always room for another be mailed to key officials of regional ARPs to forward to volunteer, however. Questions? Call NJ-ARP President Leonard Resto their own members. at 973-635-5373 for details and assistance.

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