commuter community

[fiberisgoodforyou]

I just returned from an appointment in Manhattan.

I forgot about one reason I moved to Freehold Borough, I can WALK to a bus that goes to Manhattan!

There are not many AFFORDABLE communities, especially in Western Monmouth County, were a professional can leave the car on the driveway Monday through Friday, and WALK to his/her commute into NYC!

It was almost Spring like at 7:00 AM when I stepped out my door and walk about 5 minutes to my bus, and the same on the way home this afternoon!

I know a few professionals who live int he Borough, that commute to NYC daily.

ssshhhhhh Freehold Borough is a secrete commuters haven in the center of Monmouth county?

OMG..A post that is not negative, not critical or cynical and not contentious, YES Marc it is possible!..... ;D

[admin]

OMG..A post that is not negative, not critical or cynical and not contentious, YES Marc it is possible!.....


Now Fiber, that is a great step in the right direction. Now we need to see you write something nice about President Bush.

I know you can, I know you can, I know you can.............

[fiberisgoodforyou]

OK, Here's something nice...His retirement starts January 20, 2009!

(unless he declares Marshal Law late October '08, and cancels the election to "Protect' the American people and democracy)

admin said:

OMG..A post that is not negative, not critical or cynical and not contentious, YES Marc it is possible!.....


Now Fiber, that is a great step in the right direction. Now we need to see you write something nice about President Bush.

I know you can, I know you can, I know you can.............

[ka19]

Any chance of a commuter train line in the future? Sometimes people I speak with mention this, but they don't have any concrete information.

[Libyan Sibyl]

there have been posts here about it, but the bottom line is...

nothing. It's all talk and optimism. There are 3 possible lines proposed (2 through the boro) and nothing has been posted here about the anything concrete in the future.

[ka19]

Thanks. I think it would be great for the town's attractiveness to the commuters, but it would have many drawbacks as well.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

ka19 said:

Thanks. I think it would be great for the town's attractiveness to the commuters, but it would have many drawbacks as well.

More money to fund more talk? (OK I will amend this, to not sound.....cynical) MOM has been talked about for almost 20 years, how many studies have there been, or it this study first being addressed after 20 years of talking about MOM? I appears to have the pace of a sloth. (OK is this reasonable, or still sounds cynical)

MOM rail line receives $1 million boost
Thursday, December 20, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Nearly $1 million in federal funding for the proposed Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (MOM) Passenger Rail Line was approved by the House of Representatives last night, according to a news release from U.S. Reps. Chris Smith, R-Hamilton, and Jim Saxton, R-Mount Holly.

The funding for the MOM Alternatives Analysis was included in the U.S. Department of Transportation budget -- which last night passed in the House by a vote of 272-142 -- after Smith and Saxton made a request earlier this year to the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.

Smith and Saxton, citing state and local planners, said the proposed rail line would relieve traffic congestion in the region and extend passenger rail service from New York City, Newark, and other urban areas of North Jersey into central and southern New Jersey.

"We are the most densely populated state in the nation, and anyone who drives sees the congestion first hand every day," Saxton said. "Passenger rail lines can improve commuting and transportation systems. This study examines a proposal that would create rail service between North and South Jersey. Chris and I hope that the MOM rail line would cut down on automobiles on the road, and give people travel options to get to their destinations."

"The MOM line is critical to relieving congestion and its related health problems in the three-county region of central New Jersey," said Smith. "I am committed to seeing this project through from start to finish, and this funding represents an important step forward. Winning the federal funding for the required state-conducted study continues our partnership on this project and brings us closer to making the MOM line a reality."

[ka19]

fiberisgoodforyou said:

ka19 said:

Thanks. I think it would be great for the town's attractiveness to the commuters, but it would have many drawbacks as well.

More money to fund more talk?

MOM rail line receives $1 million boost
Thursday, December 20, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Nearly $1 million in federal funding for the proposed Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (MOM) Passenger Rail Line was approved by the House of Representatives last night, according to a news release from U.S. Reps. Chris Smith, R-Hamilton, and Jim Saxton, R-Mount Holly.

The funding for the MOM Alternatives Analysis was included in the U.S. Department of Transportation budget -- which last night passed in the House by a vote of 272-142 -- after Smith and Saxton made a request earlier this year to the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.

Smith and Saxton, citing state and local planners, said the proposed rail line would relieve traffic congestion in the region and extend passenger rail service from New York City, Newark, and other urban areas of North Jersey into central and southern New Jersey.

"We are the most densely populated state in the nation, and anyone who drives sees the congestion first hand every day," Saxton said. "Passenger rail lines can improve commuting and transportation systems. This study examines a proposal that would create rail service between North and South Jersey. Chris and I hope that the MOM rail line would cut down on automobiles on the road, and give people travel options to get to their destinations."

"The MOM line is critical to relieving congestion and its related health problems in the three-county region of central New Jersey," said Smith. "I am committed to seeing this project through from start to finish, and this funding represents an important step forward. Winning the federal funding for the required state-conducted study continues our partnership on this project and brings us closer to making the MOM line a reality."

WOW, so this thing has some real momentum!

[fiberisgoodforyou]

ka19 said:

WOW, so this thing has some real momentum!

Ahhhh about as much momentum as watching my hair grow, yet I am balding too....


The question is will they turn MOM into a Combover...

Here are a few URLs of interest...
www.nj-arp.org/05-11-07_mom_nl.pdf

and

www.sayyestomom.com/

How do you see yourself benefiting or what adverse impact would MOM have in your opinion?

[ka19]

Personally, for my occasional jaunt into NYC, I would much prefer the greater speed and certainty of the rail line over that of the bus. For the commuters, I think many would be even more interested in those benefits. I would guess that the MOM line would lead to an increase in the property values in town.

First drawback is that train stations bring crime in the nearby area. Look at the situation in Bradley Beach. Since Bradley has fewer cops on patrol than Asbury Park, the train is an easy way for people to "commute" to the easier pickin's. This is a problem for Bradley Beach. I'm not sure whether it could be a problem in the boro, and I'm sure a professional planner would have a more well-founded opinion on that issue.

Second drawback is that trains bring noise. That's self explanatory.

Third drawback is that commuter rails contribute to traffic problems. It's already difficult enough to drive through East Main Street without the additional worry of the 50 or so daily train crossings. This would make East Main Street a real nightmare to drive through. Also, we would need to accommodate more people who want to park near the train station. Where will we find the additional parking?

All in all, I would love to see a train if we could avoid the logistical nightmare. I'll leave finding that solution to people far smarter than I.

[Libyan Sibyl]

from today's app:

More studies stand in way of MOM line
By Larry Higgs • STAFF WRITER • January 14, 2008

While new projected ridership figures are in for the three routes proposed for the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex rail line, it will be a long ride until necessary studies are done by NJ Transit officials and a final route is selected.

Experts have more homework to do, studying how potential riders for the rail line from Lakehurst north would be accommodated in new stations and parking lots and the effects of building them. Federal regulations say the studies have to be done if the agency wants federal dollars for the rail line, NJ Transit officials said.

"Ridership is not a slam dunk," said Penny Bassett-Hackett, NJ Transit spokeswoman.

The schedule calls for a draft environmental impact statment to be completed in 2009, which includes an addendum to take in the latest scenario of operating MOM trains through the proposed Trans-Hudson Express tunnel to New York, said Jack M. Kanarek, NJ Transit assistant director of planning and capital projects.

After that, public hearings would be held to get comments, which would be analyzed and included in the DEIS, he said.

One of the three routes for the MOM line would be selected between the DEIS and EIS, Kanarek said.

An implementation plan has to be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration, which includes identifying a funding source to design the MOM line, Kanarek said. The next step would be to apply for federal new starts funding, he said.

If the FTA deems the MOM project is eligible for new starts funding, the final EIS would be completed and the federal agency would issue a record of decision, he said.

Transit advocates said NJ Transit is taking its time completing the studies, which they contend were originally scheduled to be completed in 2006.

"That (2009 completion date) is a year longer than it needs to be. The original premise was 2006," said Douglas Bowen, New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers. "I think it's fair to say there is no sense of urgency from NJ Transit."

Although rails exist on the Monmouth Junction route and the Red Bank line, and a county hiking trail converted from a former railroad line is now on the Matawan alignment, service would be considered a new start-up by the FTA, requiring full environmental studies, Kanarek said.

"There are a couple of areas between Freehold and Farmingdale where the track is there, but overgrown (on the Monmouth Junction Route), the Freehold to Matawan Route has a trail on it, but the tracks are gone," Kanarek said.

Part of the Monmouth Junction Route from Freehold to the Northeast Corridor line in South Brunswick and the line from Red Bank to Lakehurst are used by freight trains, he said.

Bowen contends that the Matawan route only is being considered to appease Middlesex County officials who have opposed the Monmouth Junction Route.

"It's not NJ Transit's fault they've been forced into this," Bowen said. "The Matawan route is a waste of time and money. It's a charade to say they'll undo a bike path that's paved and paid for."

The association, along with officials in Monmouth and Ocean counties, support the Monmouth Junction route, which has a better potential to take cars off traffic choked Route 9 and would give Shore area residents train access to New Brunswick.

"Congratulations to (Middlesex County Freeholder Director) David Crabiel and his followers for getting everyone to waste their time; no one takes it seriously � it's Red Bank or Monmouth Junction," Bowen said. "Monmouth Junction serves New Brunswick, all the others don't, and that is key."

Federal regulations require an environmental impact statement for a project where more than $1 million of state funds are spent, or if federal new starts funding for new rail or bus lines is sought, he said

"It needs to go through the new starts evaluation process. The level of analysis is intense," Kanarek said. "The tracks there aren't adequate (for passenger service)."

It might be easier to list what doesn't have to be studied.

To be evaluated for the draft environmental impact statement are environmental issues such as wetlands, the effect on historic resources, such as the tracks of the Monmouth Junction Route, which crosses Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, and local land-use regulations.

There is a lot to be built � passing sidings, new signals, stations, high-level platforms, a rail yard to store trains at night, estimated to be upwards of $100 million, Kanarek said. Those costs will be re-estimated as part of the studies, he said.

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[novillero]

Choice apparent for MOM rail route

Red Bank is on the right track in opposing one Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex commuter rail line route and supporting another. Unfortunately, the Monmouth Junction route the Borough Council backed this week is the one Gov. Corzine tried to derail at a Feb. 10 meeting in Middlesex County in a blatant attempt to gain support for his ill-advised toll-hike proposal.

The Monmouth Junction route is by far the best for the region based on ridership studies and public opinion. State lawmakers from Monmouth and Ocean counties must continue to press their obstructionist counterparts in Middlesex County to get on board the route the majority favors. And Gov. Corzine should not insult the people in the three-county region, where ever-increasing traffic volume suffocates mobility, by using his personal preference and the lure of state funds for a MOM rail study to bribe Monmouth Junction and toll-hike naysayers.

The Monmouth Junction route would run north from Lakehurst north to Freehold and west through Monroe, Jamesburg and South Brunswick to connect with the Northeast Corridor Line in North Brunswick. The two other routes would run from Lakehurst and hook up with the North Jersey Coast Line at Red Bank or Matawan.

The Monmouth Junction Route sped ahead of the other two proposed lines in a December poll conducted by McLaughlin Associates and commissioned by Monmouth and Ocean counties, in which 80 percent of the respondents favored it.

In what must have been a shock to Middlesex County officials who stubbornly continue to oppose that route, a startling 78 percent of Middlesex County residents polled favored Monmouth Junction. Favorable percentages for Monmouth Junction were expected in Monmouth County, where 79 percent favored that route, and Ocean County, where 81 percent backed it. Potential use of the Monmouth Junction route was 13 percent higher than the Matawan alternative and 63 percent higher than the Red Bank route. And the route has links to Newark Liberty Airport, the Northeast Corridor, New York and Trenton rail lines.

Those tempted to characterize the council's decision to reject the Red Bank line and support the Monmouth Junction route as self-serving should check the evidence. It overwhelmingly shows the borough's decision is in line with previously announced ridership projections and personal preferences.

Corzine first tried to gain backing for his toll-hike scheme by saying $250 million of the proceeds would go toward completing the NJ Transit draft environmental impact study on the MOM rail. The DEIS, which began in 2006 and is expected to be completed next year, is required to get federal funding.

A month later he pandered to a crowd of 500 at a toll-plan hearing in Middlesex County by telling them the Monmouth Junction route was off the table. He later backtracked and claimed he was expressing a personal preference.

Middlesex officials who oppose the Monmouth Junction route should see Corzine's maneuvers as the politically motivated shenanigans they are. The writing on the wall, including personal preferences from their own constituents, indicates Monmouth Junction is the best route. They should switch their opposition for support now to make sure the project moves full steam ahead on schedule for the benefit of the entire region.

[novillero]

Congressmen secure funds for MOM line

The $1 million-plus check for MOM is in the mail.
The $1.25 million for NJ Transit's proposed Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex light rail service is in the federal budget. The funds were secured by Reps. Christopher H. Smith and Jim Saxton, both R-N.J., who said the U.S. Department of Transportation will issue the grant.

The money will be used for the ongoing MOM line alternatives analysis program, which was included in the federal DOT's budget as a result of the two lawmakers' efforts to fund the project in 2005 as part of the federal Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users. That act authorizes federal surface transportation programs through the end of 2009.

Smith and Saxton announced the grant in a prepared statement Wednesday.

Three routes are being considered for the MOM line, which would start in Lakehurst. The Monmouth Junction line would serve western Monmouth and three southern Middlesex towns before joining Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line in South Brunswick. The proposed Red Bank route would join the North Jersey Coast Line in Red Bank, while the third option calls for laying tracks along the Henry Hudson Trail and joining the North Jersey Coast Line in Matawan.

Officials of Monmouth and Ocean counties have supported the Monmouth Junction line because it would serve western Monmouth and relieve traffic congestion on Route 9, while Middlesex County officials oppose that route, contending it will adversely affect three towns in the southern part of that county.

In February, Gov. Corzine told a Middlesex County audience at one of the town forums on his toll hike proposal that the Monmouth Junction line was not his preference for MOM. NJ Transit officials said they must continue studying the Monmouth Junction option or else federal officials would require that study to be done over.

In March, both Smith and Saxton asked Corzine to reconsider his opinion.

Ridership studies found that more people would ride trains using the Monmouth Junction Route, with service through the proposed new Hudson River Tunnel to New York.
"The MOM line is a critical project aimed at relieving congestion," Smith said in a prepared statement. "The federal government's continued commitment and funding will help move the MOM line forward."

Smith and Saxton helped authorize the project in 2005 with legislation that allowed them to seek appropriations over six years.

"Chris and I feel that this is a worthwhile public transportation effort," Saxton said. "This rail line could improve commuting and transportation systems by creating a rail service link between North Jersey and South Jersey. That could reduce cars on the roads, and give travelers an option to get to their destinations."

[novillero]

Monmouth seeks funding to complete rail line study


FREEHOLD - Monmouth County officials have submitted a request to U.S. senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez for the $1.5 million needed to complete the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) so the Monmouth Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail project can move toward the preliminary engineering and design stage.

"Completion of this study is necessary before one of three rail options is chosen," Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said. "Monmouth County favors the Monmouth Junction (South Brunswick) route, which would deliver much-needed passenger rail service to western Monmouth County and into Middlesex and Ocean counties. It is the route that will provide the best relief for our congested roads."

According to a press release from the county, the Board of Freeholders adopted a resolution Feb. 14 supporting the Monmouth Junction alignment.

During the past several decades there has been a significant migration of people residing in the older, urban areas of northern New Jersey south, to Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. Many of these residents continue to work in the urban areas to the north, placing significant demand on existing mass transit services and highways, according to the press release. While rail transportation facilities exist, they leave a wide area of the impacted counties without direct rail service. Moreover, the significant residential and business growth in the region has led to severe traffic congestion on regional roads.

Recent studies by NJ Transit showed that the Monmouth Junction line would have many more rail riders than any of the other lines being studied. Furthermore, the Monmouth Junction alignment will offer the most passenger destinations, reduce more congestion, provide the greatest economic benefits, best serves the State Development and Redevelopment Plan's Smart Growth Areas to reduce air pollution, and will provide rail to underserved markets in the region, according to the press release.

The 2030 projected combined population of Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties is 2,411,200 (958,900 in Middlesex, 713,000 in Monmouth, and 739,300 in Ocean). Based on NJ Transit's preliminary findings, the project would provide passenger rail service to as many as 33,000 riders per day.

From a national perspective, this mass transit investment would provide direct access to Newark Liberty International Airport and connections to Amtrak trains. Regionally, the project will allow commuters to access more than 100 destinations, including inter-modal sites such as light rail and the Secaucus Transfer Station, academic institutions, retail venues, medical centers, major employment hubs, and cultural and sporting attractions.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0430/Front_Page/034.html