Reps. Menendez, Sherrill, Pallone Jr. Lead Letter to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Seeking Answers on NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak Failures 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Menendez (D-NJ) led a letter with Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg seeking answers on the continued delays and equipment failures impacting Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT customers.

This letter follows an initial letter sent to the Secretary on June 25th, in which Congressman Menendez and the delegation demanded a thorough investigation into persistent breakdowns along the Northeast Corridor.

“For thousands of NJ TRANSIT commuters, they walk out the door each day not knowing if they’ll make it home on time because of these failures in our public transportation system,” said Rep. Rob Menendez. “It’s critical that the Department of Transportation and Amtrak take this crisis seriously, and I look forward to partnering with them to solve these critical issues.”

Last month, over just two days, more than 130 NJ Transit trains were canceled or delayed due to circuit breaker and overhead wiring malfunctions. Amtrak disruptions created serious delays for NJ Transit customers no less than 19 times in May and June alone and continue to be a regular problem that is worsened by the climate crisis.

Congressman Menendez sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where he advocates for funding and improvements along the Northeast Corridor. This year, he has spoken directly with Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Corbett, and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg to address these disruptions.

Reps. Menendez, Sherrill, and Pallone were joined by fellow New Jersey members, including: Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Andy Kim, Rep. Donald Norcross, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

For the full text of the letter, click here.