NJ Transit Fined for Failure to Install Speed Control System

New Jersey Transit was just fined by the Federal Railroad Administration for missing a deadline regarding installation of an automatic speed control system. It has been reported that NJ Transit has 12 times more equipment failures than any other commuter train in the nation. This is the direct result of funding being slashed by 90 percent in the past 11 years. Others have pointed out that federal funding that was supposed to go towards Positive Train Control braking systems instead went to operations and maintenance. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:

“NJ Transit has been a rogue agency for years under the Christie Administration and now the Federal Government has fined them for failing to comply with an important safety deadline. “This is part of Christie’s legacy. The Murphy Administration is trying to fix things, but Christie’s years of neglect and bad decisions is making it difficult. Instead of using federal funding for Positive Train Control braking systems instead went to operations and maintenance because NJ Transit is broke. This braking system should have been replaced a long time ago, but the Christie Administration has cut funding by 90 percent. We need to replace these antiquated braking systems and monitor our rail lines to prevent future disasters, but we cannot do so if they keep taking the funding.

“NJ Transit receives smaller portions of their operating budgets from state and local governments or other funding like advertising—which means our N.J. commuters are forced to pay more. NJ Transit has raised fares 9 times and cut back on service. This has hurt our economy and businesses, caused people will be delayed and get to work late, while worsening our air quality problems. It has been reported that NJ Transit has the highest train breakdowns in the country. They also have 12 times more equipment failures than any other commuter train in the nation. This is the direct result of funding being slashed by 90 percent in the past 11 years. We need to fix our aging trains and install breaking systems, but we cannot do so if NJ Transit continues to be a rogue agency.

“New Jersey’s transportation system needs fixing desperately. We should get over the concept of everyone having their own set of trains or busses and instead work cooperatively.  We must prioritize funding to make the best of our money. The Gateway Tunnel is desperately needed to get commuters to work and to help improve mass transit. This project is desperately needed; New Jersey commuters have experienced hours of delays, breakdown of trains, overcrowding as well as equipment failures. Having more dissatisfied transit riders means more people will drive, adding to traffic, pollution, and sprawl. We also support rebuilding the Port Authority Bus Terminal in the city and making sure that it’s built responsibly.

“Other terminals like New York Penn Station have Positive Train Control breaking system to override the train crew in case of an emergency. Instead of using the $8 billion of federal funding for capital upgrades like automatic braking, NJ Transit used it for tires and to keep the lights on. Unfortunately, if we had these braking systems in place, accidents and tragedies may have been prevented. We need to fund the TFF because our mass transit system is old and antiquated. By not funding the Transportation Trust Fund, the Christie Administration has left us with no money for dilapidated bridges, roads, or even safety features on public transit.”