NEWSLETTER REPORT April 25, 2005 Published Bi-Monthly
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New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers NEWSLETTER REPORT April 25, 2005 Published Bi-Monthly. PO Box 68, Chatham, N.J. 07928-0068 TRANSACTION 2005: LOTS OF ‘LITTLE’ MOVEMENT An NJ-ARP team of six staffed a table, moderated and/or participated in program sessions, and otherwise lobbied for public transit solutions at the 2005 TransAction Conference in Atlantic City April 11-13. TransAction this year downplayed new projects (ongoing, projected, or simply needed) and played up the lack of funding (state and federal) for capital and operations. Partly with that in mind, NJ-ARP’s mission was to … Remind, Refocus State Players on Need for Transit Expansion: NJ-ARP Directors William R. Wright and Albert L. Papp both participated in one of TransAction’s opening sessions, “Making the Case for Transit Preservation and Expansion,” by noting the rail rights-of-way already lost and those now threatened, as well as those now being rescued. Moderator Wright led off with one success (an NJ-ARP assist), restoration of the Rahway Valley Railway lines in Union County. Panelist Papp added three other examples of NJ-ARP concern: the Lackawanna Cut-Off (also rescued in part per NJ-ARP); Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail alignments now undergoing EIS review; and the River Line. The session also allowed a fortuitous … Examination of ‘Slow Commuter Train’ Non-Think – and Alternatives: NJ-ARP’s Papp spotted one audience member familiar with the ongoing EIS process for the Lackawanna Cut-Off; that expert reviewed (and sometimes debunked) study findings of, among other items, only 800 cars diverted from Interstate 80, and the conventional wisdom of 3-hour trip times between Hoboken and Scranton (using “commuter” standards). Papp politely noted the two items were linked and, beyond that, symptomatic of “business as usual” thinking for regional rail transit. Of course, one might argue that … BRT Presentation Offers ‘Fresh Alternative’ to ‘Costly’ Rail: Two sequential sessions on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) showed that NJ Transit is still enamored with the “fresh new” concept (invented in 1938) as a way to forestall or deny the need for real (rail) development. Led by consultants STV, the first session affirmed that the Princeton Dinky rail right-of- way still is coveted by BRT proponents, despite NJ-ARP’s warning in 2004 that it would oppose any such insult. STV reps did offer a “shared” BRT/Dinky option. The title of the second presentation, “Harnessing the Flexibility of BRT,” at least belies the oft-made claim that BRT’s value is in being “just like LRT, only cheaper!” TransAction did offer a comparable Tandem of LRT Sessions stressing promise and potential, including one entitled “Planning Light Rail Services for the Passengers.” Meanwhile on the exhibition floor, other … NJ-ARP Members Advanced Cape May Branch, Other Causes: NJ-ARP Cape May Liaison Paul Mulligan and Director Carol Ann Thomas pursued funding options for the Cape May Branch’s Canal Bridge, advancing the matter with NJT officials and others. Mulligan and Papp joined an impromptu discussion on Gloucester County rail options, shared by rail veteran Bill Vigrass; Vigrass noted 17 studies on the matter have been notched since 1931, with Vigrass participating in four of them. “Modified PATCO” (also known to NJ-ARP as “modified LRT”) remains viable, Vigrass said, although grade-crossing issues are a legitimate concern for any running to Woodbury or beyond. PATCO’s parent, the Delaware River Port Authority, wants a full PATCO expansion (see the February 2005 NEWSLETTER REPORT). Holding the fort at NJ-ARP’s display table was Coco Gordon, aided by other NJ-ARP attendees as schedules permitted. Back on the official program, NJDOT … Final NJ-ARP Session Spotlighted Hidden Transport Subsidies: This time, moderator Wright and Director Papp were joined by Fred Winkler, chief executive of the Winchester & Western Railway, in “Clear the Air on Hidden Subsidies for Roads, Air Lines, and Maritime Operations.” Wright highlighted amount of auto-related costs that are buried in real estate and other taxes, and how up to 40 percent of federal contribution to highways is derived from the general fund. Winkler addressed how railroads, once privately owned and regulated, were now in the public sector (passenger traffic) and lightly regulated (freight traffic). Papp, tapping a National Geographic June 2004 lead article “The End of Cheap Oil,” warned what might happen regardless of massive auto subsidy support. LETTIERE OFFERS IMPASSIONED PLEA TO RENEW TTF At TransAction 2005, DOT Commissioner Jack Lettiere, gave an impassioned talk – without ever referring to his notes – about why the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) should be renewed and sustained Saying that a 1934 map of New Jersey’s transportation system hangs on his wall and that visitors from all over the nation and the world once were envious of the state, he based his talk on what type of state and transportation system we want to leave our children. Exhortations to legislators and political leadership to be responsible were frequent, with multiple analogies to parents who forgo that extra piece of clothing, shoes, and vacation for themselves in order to save and provide funds for the future education and other needs. This was not lost on the TransAction conferees. Not only did Lettiere receive more than a well deserved perfunctory applause, he received a standing ovation, the first one ever, according to Frank Reilly, in the 29-year history of the conference. The commissioner’s.... Call for TTF Renewal Backed by Assembly Transport Chair: John Wisniewski (D-19 - Middlesex), chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, told TransAction attendees he endorsed the commissioner’s plea for more revenue and a reduced reliance on debt financing for the TTF. He and Assemblyman Peter Biondi (R-16) have co-sponsored a bill that would prohibit the state from spending more than 50 percent of TTF revenue on debt service. Susan, Levin, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, also spoke briefly on the subject. New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers NEWSLETTER REPORT April 25, 2005 Page 2 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE NJ-ARP DIRECTORS Intermodal Tax(payer) Parity and OFFICERS, 2005 The political dance is done for 2005. New Jersey Transit has weighed in with its fare NJ-ARP OFFICE/NORTH increases, with NJ-ARP and other groups doing their part – sometimes skillfully, always 1219 Garden Street earnestly – to minimize and mitigate the potential damage. The media dutifully call the Hoboken, NJ 07030 players and inform them of the amount, and NJT spokespeople generously follow to affirm 201-963-8979 (all times) (or correct) the total percentages and/or dollars. Douglas John Bowen, Director And everyone knows we may do it all again in 2006. And 2007. And so forth. NJ-ARP OFFICE/SOUTH 22 Hartford Road Whatever NJ Transit’s innumerable faults, the corporation in 2005 has been correct to Medford, NJ 08055 point out (again and again) that it needs two commitments from the state of New Jersey: 609-654-5852 (eves only) 1. A dedicated source of capital funds, known as the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF); and Carol Ann Thomas, Director 2. A dedicated operating funds source. ❇ ❇ ❇ ❇ Point Number 2 has gained some attention in 2005, but too often the media still fixate NJ-ARP TELEPHONE HOTLINE only on quotes from NJT warning of “more fare hikes” in the future. Regardless of that Available 24 Hours; likelihood (something NJ-ARP resists as an “annual occurrence”), the flip side, missed by Updated Weekly the media, is the lack of commitment to public transit by the State of New Jersey. 201-963-8979 (all times) How much money will the state legislature dedicated to public transit in fiscal year 2006? What percentage will cover New Jersey Transit’s costs? Anyone have any idea? Any NJ-ARP INTERNET HOTLINE long-term game plan? Any idea where the money will come from? No? No surprise. http://www.nj-arp.org/hotline.html Throughout all this, meanwhile, taxation on the automobile is immobile, almost stuck NJ-ARP INTERNET INFO in sacrocanct gear. That may change in the lame-duck session following this year’s http://www.nj-arp.org gubernatorial election, and NJ-ARP has been hard at work insisting that, whether it’s a gas Robert Scheurle, Webmaster tax or something else, auto users should also pay more. The taxpayers who literally do the ❇ ❇ ❇ ❇ right thing – take transit – keep getting punished out of proportion to the freeriding freeloaders. Douglas John Bowen, President 201-798-6137 (all times) Of course, many carheads don’t see the free ride. Though to their credit they’ve kept Jim Ciacciarelli, Vice President their howling low-key in 2005, the complaints still flow over “soaring gas prices” putting 856-988-5190 (all times) a strain on the SUV budgetary operations. (That’s when those SUVs aren’t attacking light William R. Wright, Secretary rail vehicles broadside.) The parity of transport penalty is nonexistent. Transit users get socked. 908-272-5968 (all times) The auto gets off. William P. Armstrong, Director Most NJ-ARP members own, or have access to, automobiles, so this is not a case of 732-919-3660 (eves only) “us versus them.” Most NJ-ARP members believe their auto use payments – in whatever Daniel Kerwin, Director form — should be altered significantly, to reflect the true costs of all transportation, and 732-261-4141 (eves) Jack McDougal, Director especially the unseen and/or hidden subsidies granted (often by the state) to automotive use. 908-638-8010 (all times) We’re open on how to do that – motor fuels tax, road-use pricing, insurance surcharges Albert L. Papp, Jr., Director (or discounts!) for miles traveled and/or auto safety records.