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NEW CHIEF OF POLICE NAMED TO HEAD NJ TRANSIT'S POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWARK, NJ, October 9, 2002 – The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today authorized the Corporation’s Executive Director to enter into an agreement with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to coordinate the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Access to the Region’s Core Study (ARC).

ARC is a high-priority, long-term project for the State of New Jersey, designed to significantly increase rail access and overall trans-Hudson capacity between New Jersey and New York – and safeguard the overall mobility and economic vitality of the region.

“Over the past six months, this Administration has taken many steps to increase capacity, improve customer service and make mass transit a welcome option, not a last resort,” said Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox. “But today’s historic agreement underscores our commitment to making a second trans-Hudson River crossing a reality. This project will continue to be the focus of our mass transportation agenda in the months and years to come.”

“New Jersey finds itself at a critical crossroad, one that warrants immediate action to preserve the long-term integrity of trans-Hudson capacity between New Jersey and New York,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George Warrington. “With the overwhelming change in September 11 commuter patterns – combined with additional trains, the recent opening of MidTOWN DIRECT-Montclair and the future opening of Secaucus Transfer – it would be irresponsible for us not to plan for the future.”

The ARC study includes the potential for a new two-track rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River, providing significant capacity relief by effectively doubling the number of trains currently operating to and from P

NEWARK, NJ, OCTOBER 9, 2002 – The Trenton Train Station rehabilitation project got a boost today when the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors awarded $2.8 million contract to di Domenico + Partners of New York for final design of the station.

The Corporation’s rehabilitation project will lend to an improved facility and provide more comfortable surroundings for commuters. The project would include expanding the building and adding a second floor/mezzanine level for additional office, retail and civic space. There will also be exterior and interior architectural improvements; upgrades of various building systems and circulation improvements to the existing parking areas. The station serves a daily weekday ridership of 4,600 passengers, making it the third busiest outlying station on the Northeast Corridor.

“Improvements to the Trenton Train Station are long overdue,” said Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox. “For too long, the transportation needs of our urban centers have been deferred. All of our customers deserve modern, comfortable stations that improve the quality of their commutes.”

"I am pleased that the Trenton Train Station will undergo rehabilitation. This project is extremely important to the continued growth and vitality of our Capital City,” said Senator Shirley Turner (D-15). “As we look to improve Trenton’s appearance and capital infrastructure, this rehabilitation is necessary to sustain the existing passengers that utilize the train station and to accommodate anticipated future ridership growth.”

“Thanks to today's action by the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors to approve funding for final design, the Trenton Train Station is going to become the first-class train station that our Capital city deserves,”

NEWARK, NJ, OCTOBER 9, 2002 – In an effort to provide improved accessibility and safety to its rail system, the NJ TRANSIT’s Board of Directors today approved a project that will deliver pedestrian improvements at South Amboy Train Station, which serves 1,200 daily commuters.

The Board authorized that a contract be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for accessibility upgrades at the train station. The Board also awarded $227,314 to Vollmer and Associates of New York to provide construction assistance for the project

The first phase of improvements will consist of a new 16-foot wide pedestrian overpass with two elevators, linking the existing parking lot on the Newark/New York-bound tracks with a new transit plaza on the Long Branch/Bay Head side of the tracks. The overpass will be accessible by stairs or elevators on each side of the tracks, allowing pedestrians to avoid the existing pedestrian crossing at Augusta Street.

"I am gratified that NJ TRANSIT and the Department of Transportation have located the resources to fund this much needed and long awaited pedestrian safety project in the City of South Amboy," said Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D-19), who is Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee.

"Commissioner Fox and Executive Director Warrington recognized the need for this investment which will not only save lives but also further enhance the value of South Amboy's downtown. We appreciate the support."

“Today’s action is an important step in ensuring that NJ TRANSIT passengers that use the South Amboy Train Station may do so safely,” said Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox. “This Administration is committed to making New Jersey’s mass transit system safe an

NEWARK, NJ, OCTOBER 9, 2002 -- A 29-year career law enforcement veteran was appointed Chief of Police of the NJ TRANSIT Police Department today at a special swearing-in ceremony during the Corporation’s Board of Directors meeting. Joseph Bober was appointed Chief of Police and will oversee approximately 200 men and women who serve within the police department.

Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D-19) presided over the special ceremony, which was attended by local and state dignitaries and Chief Bober’s family. The Woodbridge resident has come up through the ranks and virtually served in every unit, division and bureau within NJ TRANSIT’s Police Department.

“Chief Bober has displayed extraordinary professionalism, customer sensitivity and responsiveness, all of which are qualities that are essential in the leadership of our police force,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George Warrington. “In this new age of safety and security, Chief Bober will play a vital role in ensuring that the NJ TRANSIT Police Department continues to respond to the Corporation’s mission of delivering a safe, reliable and efficient transportation throughout the State.”

“It is truly an honor and privilege to be selected to serve as Chief of Police for NJ TRANSIT,” Bober said. “The NJ TRANSIT Police Department is made up of some of the finest men and women in law enforcement today. This is a statement I make with the utmost sincerity. I want to thank George Warrington for having the faith and trust in me to do this job, one that I will serve with honor, pride and integrity.”

Bober has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and is currently enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University studying for his Masters Degree in Public Administration, which he will completenn Station New York. The EIS will also examine the integration of other transit services in the region in support of future regional economic growth.

Specifically, the EIS will:

 

  • Pursue further analysis and conceptual engineering of project components.
  • Identify a phased implementation plan to provide near-term capacity relief and long-term capacity expansion.
  • Conduct an environmental analysis and public outreach, leading to the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in conformance with Federal Transit Administration requirements.

Work on the ARC project began in the early 1990’s as NJ TRANSIT was planning and implementing immediate and long-term plans to integrate the NJ TRANSIT rail system. Since that time, ridership to Penn Station New York has grown substantially on all three rail lines serving Penn Station New York – the Northeast Corridor, the North Jersey Coast Line and MidTOWN DIRECT rail service. The capacity constraints on the system were further aggravated following the September 11, 2001 closure of the PATH World Trade Center station. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will begin opening the Secaucus Transfer Station on weekends in fall 2003, with plans to offer weekday service following the opening of a new PATH lower Manhattan station in winter 2003/2004, requiring more capacity needs.

Current Trans-Hudson Rail Access

 

  • The current Hudson River rail tunnels – owned and operated by Amtrak — were constructed nearly 100 years ago and are now at capacity in the peak hours.
  • NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak will be able to increase the number of peak hour trains operating through the tunnels from 19 to 25 train; said Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer. “Today, the station accommodates more than 4,600 travelers each and every weekday. In the future, it will play an increasingly critical part in helping Trenton thrive, as it spurs the growth of business and the development of neighborhoods in our City. We are delighted.”

    “This renovation project illustrates the Corporation’s commitment toward its back-to-basics approach with a focus on customer satisfaction,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George Warrington. “We are preparing to bring an outdated facility into the new century along with an improved NJ TRANSIT rail system built for tomorrow. We remain focused on meeting the basic infrastructure and capacity needs of our core system.”

    The last work performed on the building occurred in 1992 when the station’s lower level was renovated. As part of the project, two high-level island platforms with 1,000 feet of canopies and 2,000 square feet of shelter space were constructed, as was a low-level, side platform.

    NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 752,600 daily trips on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 160 rail stations, 28 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

     

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    d accessible. These improvements are proof of what we can accomplish by working together on the State and local level and putting our customers first.”

    “NJ TRANSIT has already completed a number of safety improvements at South Amboy Train Station that include replacing existing pedestrian warning signs with larger ones and installing flashing and audible safety alerts at the Augusta Street crossing to help pedestrians know when a train is approaching,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George Warrington. “We continue to be vigilant in spreading our safety message to the public by distributing safety information to communities, local business and schools. Our comprehensive rail safety program continues to reach approximately 35,000 students a year throughout the state. In addition, we have a team focusing on safety awareness where new services are being implemented,” he said.

    In May, Board Chairman Fox, joined by Warrington, Assemblyman Wisniewski and a host of dignitaries, announced a series of multi-phased safety and accessibility improvements to be made at the rail station that included the pedestrian overpass and the transit plaza.

    As part of the project, NJ TRANSIT will incorporate its transit arts program into the plaza and overpass work – with two artists collaborating in the effort. The plans include colorful stair risers reflecting South Amboy’s connection to water transportation and industry, a sculpture to be placed on the face of the overpass building representing South Amboy at work and at play and a mural of the Beds Lighthouse that formerly sat on the Raritan Bay waterfront in South Amboy. Five images will radiate from the lighthouse:

     

    • A baseball player honoring six South Amboy natives who made it to the major leagues and the communitye in December. He is also a graduate of Babson College New England Institute of Law Enforcement and the prestigious F.B.I. National Academy.

      NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing Bus, rail and light rail services for 752,600 daily trips on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 160 rail stations, 28 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

       

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      s per peak hour in spring 2003 when installation is completed on a high-density signal system on the Northeast Corridor between Newark and New York.

    • Other recent improvements to help increase capacity to New York include electric traction power system improvements, train storage yard expansions, completion of the 7th Avenue Concourse at Penn Station New York, the acquisition of high-horsepower ALP-46 locomotives and Comet V coach cars and the anticipated purchase of new bi-level rail cars.
    • With the recent implementation of MidTOWN DIRECT-Montclair service and the anticipated completion of the Secaucus Transfer Station next year, NJ TRANSIT’s entire northern New Jersey rail network will be connected to and reliant on the Northeast Corridor’s two-track trans-Hudson tunnel for access to New York Penn Station.
    • The result of these most recent investments will increase rail capacity to 25 peak hour train slots, which are expected to be fully maximized sometime between 2010 and 2020.

    Long Term Benefits of ARC Project

     

    • Commuter travel from New Jersey to Manhattan provides New Jersey residents with access to more than one million jobs in midtown Manhattan.
    • Improved trans-Hudson rail access would better link Manhattan’s core business district with New Jersey’s economic centers and facilitate travel to social and cultural institutions, medical facilities and recreational destinations.
    • The proposed two-track trans-Hudson tunnel is being planned to add up to 21 new trans-Hudson train slots in the peak hour, providing capacity for the projected growth of ridership demand.
    • The ARC capacity expans217;s love of the game.
    • The sailing schooner The American, signifying South Amboy’s love for recreational boating on the bay.
    • A bottle kiln, which represents the region’s historical ties to the tile and brick industries.
    • The John Bull locomotive, which hauled coal and timber through the region.
    • A construction worker building a gazebo on the Raritan Bay waterfront.

    NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 752,600 daily trips on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 160 rail stations, 28 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

     

    ### ion will also make it possible to increase the convenience of trans-Hudson rail service by providing the capacity for direct one-seat ride rail service from existing diesel lines in New Jersey that are not currently electrified.

  • ARC also will provide the trans-Hudson capacity necessary to accommodate additional new rail initiatives throughout the State of New Jersey.

The DEIS – scheduled for completion in winter 2004/2005 – will allow the project to qualify for future federal funding. Initial cost projections for a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River range from $4-5 billion.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 752,600 daily trips on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 160 rail stations, 28 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

 

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