NJ TRANSIT CUTBACK PLANS AND POOR SERVICE SPARK LOCAL ONLINE PETITION

The recent Amtrak and NJ Transit Penn Station repair delays and service cutback plans have prompted one local group to post a petition seeking support to demand better service.

The petition, posted by SOMA Action on May 27, states, in part:

After years of neglect and mismanagement of New Jersey’s assets, we believe that now is the time to speak up and DEMAND that Governor Chris Christie, our elected officials, and the executives at NJ Transit and Amtrak take action NOW, to prevent the transit system’s total collapse. The continued lack of state and federal infrastructure investment needed to maintain NJ Transit’s and Amtrak’s rail system has a disproportionate effect on the communities of South Orange and Maplewood, and the rest of the Morris and Essex line, which includes communities across the racial, ethnic, and socio-economic spectrum. 

This week, Gov. Christie and NJ Transit dropped a surprise announcement on our communities by informing the public that there would be a  projected 6 – 8 week service disruption this summer in order to maintain the rail lines. This project is merely a patch to a larger systemic issue which will require a long term vision and resources dedicated to handle the growing needs of New Jersey residents. We demand  your commitment to dedicating adequate resources to fix these systemic issues, not just stop gap emergency repairs. 

Read the rest of it and sign on if you wish HERE. Organizers plan to submit the petition to state legislators and officials at NJ Transit and Amtrak.