Assemblywoman Jones Statement on NJT Update Regarding Ongoing Atlantic City Rail Line Shutdown

(Trenton) – Assemblywoman Patricia Egan Jones (D-Camden, Gloucester), vice-chair of Assembly Transportation Committee, issued following statement Tuesday:

“Finally, New Jersey Transit is showing up in our communities to explain why they failed to resume service to the Atlantic City Rail Line (ACRL).  Desperate commuters were promised a return to service by the end 2018 and then, in early January.  It is now well into February.

“The Assembly Transportation Committee, along with Chairman Daniel Benson and I, have led the charge in calling on the Commissioner of Transportation and the Executive Director of NJ Transit to level with folks—what is the holdup?

“In mid-December during a personal conversation, the Executive Director of NJT agreed to my invitation to join me in South Jersey to review with riders the resumption of service and explain the delay and expected date of reopening in a public forum. Originally, this was slated for late January but was delayed as well. Fellow members of the transportation committee held a conference call with the Executive Director and the Commissioner of Transportation to try to get to the bottom of the delays and missed deadlines. We were left with more questions than answers.

“How foolish not to make certain that the ACRL is restored for Atlantic City’s convention season.  We have seen too many missed opportunities on the road to make Atlantic City the shining star is once was even as the revitalization of the city is becoming more evident every day. It is unfortunate to be hit yet again with another avoidable obstacle.

“The Assembly Transportation Committee has been in continuous dialogue with NJ Transit and the State Department of Transportation in getting to the bottom of these delays and now the public will have the same opportunity. Join me and my Assembly colleagues at the first forum to take place in Atlantic City at the Convention Center Thursday, Feb. 21^st at 6:00pm.  Residents will have another opportunity to share their concerns in Cherry Hill where we will be joined by Mayor Chuck Cahn at the Cherry Hill Municipal building on Wednesday Feb. 27^th again at 6:00.  Let’s get rolling. Enough delays.”