LET’S BRING
MOM
TO
CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
WHAT IS MOM AND WHY IS IT NEEDED?
In the summer of 2000, as the result of a three-year campaign by citizen rail activists, the Legislature and the
Governor of New Jersey officially endorsed the development and construction of a Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex
passenger rail project by declaring it to be part of the New York - New Jersey Circle of Mobility. This
endorsement gave it legal qualification for federal funding. The project, first envisioned in the 1970's and further
developed in 1985, is being championed by the Central Jersey Rail Coalition and the New Jersey Association of
Railroad Passengers. The Monmouth-Ocean Development Council, an important business association, is also
strongly committed to the project and has allied itself with the two citizen organizations.
MOM is an acronym for the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex rail project. Once construction is completed, it will
become a new rail branch of New Jersey Transit and will provide modern train service connecting inland
communities in the three counties with Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. The route preferred by Monmouth and
Ocean County officials, by NJ Transit and by MOM proponents will use existing rail lines and will therefore not
require any new right-of-way.
Except for one short section, the tracks along this route are all still being used by freight trains of Conrail Shared
Assets. Many people do not know that passenger trains operated along these same tracks for nearly a hundred
years, beginning in the 1860’s. There were many rail lines crisscrossing New Jersey, all of which offered
passenger service. What happened to those passenger trains? In brief, it was the development of the
automobile in the early 1900’s which steadily drew more and more travelers away from the trains, and, by 1952,
so many people had cars that there were no longer enough passengers to keep the trains running.
But Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties have changed dramatically since then, and now the very
opposite applies. Today there are so many cars, trucks and buses that we are choking in traffic congestion.
Now the only transportation options in this region are automobiles and crowded buses, constantly delayed in
daily traffic jams on Route 9, the Garden State Parkway and many other highways. There is no longer any more
room on our roads for additional buses. There is no more room in the express bus lane from the New Jersey
Turnpike to the Lincoln Tunnel. And there is no more room in the Lincoln Tunnel itself. That is why MOM must
be built.
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MOM passenger trains will originate in Lakehurst and run in a northerly direction, serving the communities of
Manchester, Jackson, Lakewood, Howell and Farmingdale, then turn northwestward to Freehold, Manalapan,
Englishtown, Monroe, Jamesburg and South Brunswick. Locations of passenger stations on the line are still to
be determined. Upon entering the Northeast Corridor--served by Amtrak and NJ Transit--the trains will then run
at speeds up to 100 mph toward New Brunswick, Newark and New York. A branch line also under
consideration may go by way of Farmingdale, Tinton Falls, Eatontown and Shrewsbury to connect with the
existing North Jersey Coast Line at Red Bank.
WHAT BENEFITS WILL MOM PROVIDE?
When the MOM rail project is completed, thousands of Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex residents will gain
access to both the Amtrak and New Jersey Transit rail systems, greatly broadening their travel options. At the
same time, travelers from elsewhere in New Jersey will be able to reach additional towns, employment locations
and recreational sites in the central part of the state. The route outlined above addresses the region's varied
transportation needs of today. Not only will MOM serve commuters who travel to and from New York City and
elsewhere in the region, it will also offer a large number of additional destinations by train to those who until now
have had to depend on their private cars. Everyone who lives in or wants to travel to the area will benefit,
including scores of senior citizens and students, as well as others who travel only occasionally and do not want
to drive or go by bus.
Residents up and down the entire MOM travel corridor will enjoy the comfort of reliable train service, whatever
their destination. Travelers will be largely unaffected by delays on account of rain, snow or traffic tie-ups, and
may expect better on-time arrival at their destinations. Traffic congestion, personal stress and air pollution will
be reduced. Besides enabling commuters to travel to and from their jobs, all residents will be able to travel
comfortably by train to visit friends and family and to go to museums, concerts, shows, sports events, healthcare
facilities and many other destinations in New York City and northern New Jersey. Airline passengers from
anywhere in the region will have direct rail access to Newark Airport via the new airport station, where they can
take the monorail directly to their terminal. Students will be able to travel by train to Rutgers University and other
colleges, allowing many to live at home and avoid high dormitory and meal costs, while enabling others to end
their dependence on cars. In addition, travelers will be able to connect with southbound trains and travel
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south to Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington, DC or anywhere else that Amtrak goes.
Sports fans can take the MOM train to Lakewood, where a shuttle bus will whisk them in ten minutes to the
popular Blue Claws baseball games. Or, they can take the MOM train in the other direction to attend games at
Rutgers.
Additional benefits expected are:
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MOM will expand the available labor force for employers as well as enable workers to seek jobs in new
areas of the state.
MOM will increase property values for those near rail stations.
MOM will help stabilize property taxes for homeowners.
MOM will attract higher income households to the region.
MOM will promote commercial benefits including increases in business ratables, white collar
employment, higher retail sales and general economic revitalization.
MOM may attract major corporations, which seek communities with passenger rail service.
MOM will encourage the development of well-planned mixed-use communities around rail stations.
MOM will be an important factor in maintaining excellence in quality of life for the entire region.
WHY IS MOM IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE
OF THE REGION?
Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties are among the fastest-growing in New Jersey. Surveys show that
by the year 2010 these counties will be home to nearly one-fourth of New Jersey's entire population and work
force. Insufficient transit options will mean even more traffic congestion and air pollution than now as large
numbers of residents commute to work using their cars, with almost all as driver-only, single-occupant vehicles.
Because of cost and environmental constraints, it is highly unlikely that any new highways can be constructed to
relieve the ever-increasing congestion. Moreover, clean air regulations may force older, non-complying cars off
the road, thus depriving many commuting wage-earners who cannot afford newer cars their only means to get to
work. MOM trains will greatly relieve the situation by providing dependable, off-highway transportation. There is
no doubt that passenger rail service provides a safe, fast, comfortable and weatherproof alternative to travel by
car and bus.
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WHY HAS THE REGION BEEN DENIED
TRAIN SERVICE FOR SO MANY YEARS?
Throughout the nation, passenger rail service is undergoing a resurgence, with old rail lines being restored and
new lines built. This is also true in New Jersey, where NJ Transit is extending existing service and adding new
lines. Among the major multimillion-dollar rail projects elsewhere in New Jersey are the Midtown Direct service,
the AirTrain service to Newark Airport, the Secaucus Transfer and the Hudson-Bergen and Southern New
Jersey light rail transit systems. These projects benefit northern and western New Jersey. But no new regional
rail service is yet being offered in the Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex County area, even though a vital
need can clearly be proven to support sustainable and Smart Growth principles.
The MOM route described above is technically known as the Monmouth Junction alignment, because that is the
name of the spot in South Brunswick where it will join the Northeast Corridor. Some Middlesex County
communities have steadfastly opposed this route because of objections raised by some residents who bought or
built homes adjacent to the tracks. They moved into these homes with knowledge that freight trains still operate
on the line. The endorsement of MOM by the New Jersey Governor and Legislature should have put the
opposition to rest. But the communities of South Brunswick, Jamesburg and Monroe, as well as the
administra-tion of Middlesex County itself, still continue their efforts to delay, obstruct or cancel the
project. They admit that Monmouth and Ocean Counties desperately need train service, but they want to route
the trains away from these three communities by advocating other alignments that are impossible or that will
serve only a small number of travelers. This opposition by a vocal minority has thus far prevented the
development of a seamless rail transit network supportive of Smart Growth. It stands in the way of a true tricounty consensus, and is thus needlessly delaying the project and threatening to deny a growing region the
much-needed improvement to its system of public transportation.
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIONS TO MOM?
Those opposed to the MOM rail project raise the following concerns:
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Belief that ridership would be too small and that the operation would therefore not be profitable.
Anticipation of reduced property values.
Fear that children may be struck by trains traveling at high speed.
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Anticipation of excessive noise.
Concern about long delays at grade crossings.
Concern about traffic delays in the vicinity of stations.
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THESE FEARS AND OBJECTIONS?
The opponents continue to reiterate their concerns about finances, property values, safety, noise and delays,
despite the fact that trains have been using this line for nearly 150 years, and freight trains are still using
it. Let any open-minded person observe the heavily-used North Jersey Coast Line, which also runs through
towns, neighborhoods and close to schools. No such problems exist along that line; rather, every community it
serves is glad to share in its benefits. On every issue, the fears of the opponents are unfounded:
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Ridership levels and operating costs: Opponents of MOM continue to cite the incorrect results of a $l.8million publicly-funded major investment study, completed in 1996, which concluded that there would be too
few riders to justify rail service to the region. Since that time, it has been clearly demonstrated by
independent authorities that the computer model used in the study was seriously flawed in two respects.
First, it failed to include thousands of potential riders living in heavily-populated and growing communities of
Ocean County. Second, it failed to anticipate planned and new housing starts for the tri-county region-especially in southern Middlesex County and upper northwest Mercer County. Because of these serious
inaccuracies and omissions, projected ridership was greatly underestimated. Further, the final
recommendations of the study seem to have been predetermined by an anti-rail bias from the outset. As for
operating costs, it is well-known that no passenger rail service nowadays can operate at a profit, and that
public transit requires a measure of government assistance in order to serve the community. Train service
fills a vital need for travelers, stimulates the broad economy of an entire region and thus deserves financial
subsidies from government.
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Property values: Surveys consistently show that home values actually increase--not decrease--when
commuter rail service is readily accessible. This has been confirmed in town after town in northern New
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Jersey, where travellers now have access to Midtown Direct or to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line.
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Public safety: NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast line has been operating passenger trains for decades
through residential neighborhoods and close to schools and hospitals with outstanding safety and with
basically no detrimental impact on any community. Even in areas where the rail line is unfenced,
children learn to stay off the tracks and are not struck by trains. As for speed, trains on the MOM line
will operate at speeds comparable to automobiles, and will not run at "high speed" until they enter the
Northeast Corridor. If safety issues do emerge in the development of the MOM project, they will be
addressed and solved.
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Noise: Modern locomotives and passenger trains are relatively quiet, and the limited number of daily
trips will result in little or no inconvenience to residents. Since freight trains have already been running
on these same tracks for so many years--and still do--the MOM passenger trains will not make that
much difference. Besides, all over the United States there are many thousands of homes built next to
hundreds of existing rail lines. Those who do not mind the sound of trains are happy to live in these
homes. Those who do may be confident that they will be able to sell their homes at a profit.
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Delays at crossings: Passenger trains have fewer cars than freight trains, so MOM trains will clear
crossings more quickly than residents are accustomed to now.
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Traffic delays around stations: Where passenger stations may attract large numbers of commuters,
infrastructure improvements will be implemented to minimize any delays. Wherever possible, stations
will be located where highway traffic can be accommodated with minimum impact on local communities.
Also, the MOM line may follow the lead of a growing number of communities in northern New Jersey
which are enthusiastically using new jitney services to sharply reduce the number of cars arriving at and
parking at the stations.
Many Middlesex residents agree that transit is a realistic solution to the serious traffic congestion where they
live. On the other hand, they say that Monmouth and Ocean do not deserve a rail line because they allowed
too
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many homes to be constructed, so the congestion is their own fault. But they fail to realize that thousands of
drivers now passing through and crowding Middlesex roads with their cars might just as well be on MOM trains
instead and leave their cars at home. Middlesex County does not have the right to prevent others from traveling
through. The responsible action is to support public transit and to acknowledge and accept the obligation to
work with its neighbors for the common good. The Central Jersey Rail Coalition is convinced that the concerns
of Middlesex residents can be discussed and resolved in an atmosphere of cooperation to do what is right for
the entire region.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF MOM RIGHT NOW?
The MOM rail line is now listed as a high priority project in the federal transportation legislation known as TEA21. However, in order for it to fully qualify for federal funding, the Federal Transit Administration requires that a
draft environmental impact study (DEIS) be performed by a professional firm. Money left over from the 1995
major investment study was earmarked for this DEIS. In the summer of 2001, NJ Transit signed a contract with
SYSTRA, Inc. to conduct the DEIS; this required study is now in progress and is expected to take up to eighteen
months. Once the DEIS is completed, the estimated $400 million cost of the MOM project will have to be
appropriated by the federal government, and strong support for this funding will be needed from all New Jersey
officials. Former NJ Transit Executive Director Jeffrey Warsh was convinced that MOM was a worthwhile
project. Several times he met personally with leaders of the Central Jersey Rail Coalition and declared that he
would see MOM through to completion. When James McGreevey took office as Governor in 2002, however, he
asked for Jeffrey Warsh's resignation and appointed George D. Warrington to take his place. He appointed
James P. Fox to replace James Weinstein as Commissioner of Transportation. The Governor also terminated
other positions in NJ Transit, among them those of Michael Leibowitz and Barbara Horl, who had spent much of
their professional efforts advocating for the MOM rail project on behalf of NJ Transit.
Until May 2002, Governor McGreevey publicly stated that, although MOM must cross Middlesex County, the
project is necessary. Commissioner Fox also declared the importance of MOM, saying that the project will be
allowed to move ahead despite the state's current budgetary shortfall. It will be done, we were assured.
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The future of MOM was cast into uncertainty, however, when Commissioner Fox unexpectedly declared that
there was "no clear expression of need or a common consensus of opinion" on the MOM project. He also
reportedly stated that MOM could be dropped because it did not have enough broad support. There was an
immediate pro-MOM reaction, spearheaded by two strong friends of MOM in the New Jersey Legislature:
Senators Andrew R. Ciesla and Robert Singer. Pro-MOM letters were written and several high-level meetings
took place to have the project put back on track. These efforts were successful, and, in late July, NJ Transit
announced that the DEIS would proceed and that the public hearings on the MOM project would take place in all
three counties in the fall of 2002.
As of this writing, the public hearings--one in each of the three counties--are expected to take place in
December. NJ Transit will actively seek public input, but it will follow the impartial guidelines of the Federal
Transit Administration and will no longer try to be a catalyst on behalf of the project. In addition, NJ Transit and
SYSTRA will conduct meetings with the professional staffs of the 30-odd "alignment towns"--those towns directly
affected by the proposed rail line. In any event, funding for MOM will remain questionable until a dependable
source of income for New Jersey's transportation projects is established. Convincing and forceful testimony at
the coming public hearings will be vital to keeping the project alive.
WHAT IS THE CENTRAL JERSEY RAIL COALITION AND WHAT HAS IT
ACCOMPLISHED?
The Central Jersey Rail Coalition is comprised of community-minded volunteers who seek to restore passenger
rail service to the inland communities of Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties. Leaders and supporters
live in all three of these counties. The Rail Coalition was founded in early 1997 with the MOM rail project as its
primary goal. It also advocates for other transportation projects that will benefit the traveling public in these three
counties. The Rail Coalition maintains a close relationship with the New Jersey Association of Railroad
Passengers, which focuses mainly on statewide issues. The Coalition also meets regularly with the MonmouthOcean Development Council.
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The Rail Coalition has conducted "rallies for rail" in several towns along the route.
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The Rail Coalition has held personal meetings with elected officials, newspaper editorial boards and civic
groups and has spoken at legislative hearings.
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The Rail Coalition has collected thousands of signed petitions in favor of MOM from supporters in all three
counties and beyond.
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The Rail Coalition has been interviewed on radio and TV stations.
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The Rail Coalition has written letters and op-ed essays to newspapers and elected officials.
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The Rail Coalition is recognized and respected by public and private agencies throughout New Jersey.
Currently, the Central Jersey Rail Coalition remains actively in support of the MOM rail project by continuing to
send letters and essays to the media, give public presentations and meet with elected officials.
WHO ELSE SUPPORTS THE MOM RAIL PROJECT?
The Jersey Shore Partnership
The Monmouth-Ocean Development Council (MODC)
The New Jersey Alliance for Action
The New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association
The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders
The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders
AFTER MOM--WHAT?
The Central Jersey Rail Coalition plans to advocate in the future for several possible extensions to the MOM rail
line. The first of these would be from Lakehurst to Toms River, where the present bus station can become an
integrated transportation hub. Alternatively, a light rail feeder line could be developed instead. Light rail would
also extend from Toms River to Barnegat and from Lakehurst to Whiting. Although a rail trail is already planned
for the former Toms River-to-Barnegat branch of the Jersey Central Railroad, engineers have given assurance
that a trail can easily share the right-of-way with a light rail operation. As for the MOM line itself, that would be
extended all the way to Atlantic City.
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YOU ARE INVITED
to attend and participate in the open meetings of the Central Jersey Rail Coalition, which are usually held on the
second Monday of each month--at 9:30 AM one month and at 7:30 PM the next month. Many of the meetings
take place in the conference room of the Ocean County Engineering Department in Toms River, NJ, while
others are held in alternate locations. Please contact any of the following for the date, location and directions to
the next meeting:
Wm. F. Braden, Chairman
12 Grand Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
732.341.3144 Fax 341.4716
[email protected]
Salvatore R. Petoia, Vice Chairman
10 Schoener Drive
Brick, NJ 08723
732.477.1886
[email protected]
Daniel Green, Secretary
6 Teri Court
Jackson, NJ 08527
732.928.8828 Fax 928.8838
[email protected]
HOW CAN I HELP TO ADVANCE
THE MOM PROJECT?
If you are among the majority of residents who want better public transportation, join the growing roster of MOM
supporters. There is no fee and there are no dues to pay. Just send a letter, fax or e-mail message with your
name and address to the Secretary.
Let your elected officials and NJ Transit know of your support for MOM by writing letters.
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SUGGESTED LETTER, WHICH YOU CAN MODIFY AND SEND TO
ADDITIONAL ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Your Address
Date
The Honorable James E. McGreevey
Governor of New Jersey
P.O. Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Governor McGreevey:
Because I know you care about important regional issues, I am writing to tell you that the congested
highways in central New Jersey are a very great problem for me. I urge you to support and advance the
funding and construction of the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) passenger rail project from Lakehurst to
the Northeast Corridor.
Inland Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties are undergoing dramatic growth and will soon be the
home of one-fourth of the entire population of New Jersey. Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway are already
choked with so much traffic that travelers suffer daily delays. As a result of this congestion, passenger rail
service must be restored to this part of New Jersey. Our Legislature has already recognized this need for MOM
by including it as a component of the Circle of Mobility. However, the project is taking much too long.
I know there have been requests for passenger rail service in other parts of the state. But these three
counties have the most urgent need, so MOM should be given preference. Rail transportation is vital to our
commerce, and it will enhance the quality of life for all who live here. The MOM project is practical and
affordable and needs to move ahead. Please make the MOM rail line your first priority. Now is the time to
show your leadership on this issue which is important to the future of our entire region.
Sincerely,
Your Name
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TO FIND THE ADDRESSES OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, VISIT THIS WEBSITE:
http://www.nj-arp.org/reps.html
STAND UP AND BE COUNTED IN OUR PETITION DRIVE BY FILLING IN THIS
FORM:
To the Honorable James E. McGreevey, Governor of New Jersey
The time has come for restoration of passenger rail service to inland Monmouth, Ocean
and Middlesex Counties. We need it now! Let the trains roll again!
Print Name ___________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
Town/Zip ____________________________________________________
E-mail address ________________________________________________
Signature ____________________________________________________
Cut out and mail the above form to:
CENTRAL JERSEY RAIL COALITION
Daniel Green, Secretary
6 Teri Court
Jackson, NJ 08527
This pamphlet provided by the
CENTRAL JERSEY RAIL COALITION
A Non-Partisan Citizen Volunteer Group
Advocating for the MOM Passenger Rail Project
"Let the Trains Roll Again!"
Compiled by Daniel Green
Edition of Oct. 1, 2002