I always find it amazing how quick politicians can change sides on an issue and get away with it. The article below notes that the Burlington City mayor is no longer as big a critic of SNJLRT now that home values have increased as a result of its potential opening in 2003! I believe this was the same guy who about 9 months ago that argued all it would bring was crime to his fair town. http://www.phillyburbs.com/burlingtoncountytimes/news/news/41454873.htm
So it would appear that just like HBLRT, SNJLRT has survived a change of administration. Any ideas as to what is the next most likely NJ rail project to get underway?
Posted by transit383 (Member # 1488) on :
Maybe if Jamesburg and the MOM opponents see what good a railroad can do for their towns, then their attitudes will change as well.
Posted by irishchieftain (Member # 1473) on :
Well, since we switched from SNJLRT to MOM...as far as Jamesburg goes, I've never been there, but Freehold's rail configuration is rather dangerous. As far as any new rail service through any of these towns, success will be extremely dependent on the "in-the-box" concept of a one-seat ride to Manhattan, not Newark or Hoboken.
SNJLRT, though, IMO, will be hampered by no direct service to Philadelphia. Since there is none, nor none planned, there's no consideration of competition with SEPTA's R7 train, but instead competition with NJT's own 409 bus' local service (with the 409 having the advantage of serving Philly). Locally, the diesel LRT will be much faster, though, than the bus, and lots of municipalities that lost rail service in the past will have it back again...
Posted by JLo (Member # 1481) on :
Jamesburg's configuration may be worse. The rails run right through downtown (or what little of it there is) between two streets with numerous intersections and grade crossings. Picture PP Beach with a major highway on both sides of the rails, instead of just one.
Posted by JLo (Member # 1481) on :
Just a quick update on the status. Drove through Trenton on Tuesday. Double tracking is well underway in between Bordentown and Trenton, with the some of the platforms and car barn partially built. The infrastructure for the stop to be located across from Trenton's Amtrak/NJT station is also about half finished. Given the near complete status of the Camden to Bordentown end, it would appear way too late to kill this project to obtain any real savings. Anyone have a status of the DMUs?