Dear Editor:
New Jersey Transit’s decision to suspend direct Light Rail service between the Hoboken Terminal and the two other stations located around the community on weekends and holidays harms the quality of life of the people of Hoboken and especially the residents of the 4th Ward. Forcing residents to ride to the Pavonia/Newport station, get off the train, and wait for another train to return to Hoboken is inconvenient, inefficient, and wholly neglects the needs of the residents of Hoboken, as well as visitors to our city.
Many residents of the 4th Ward rely on the Light Rail for commuting to work and traveling around the area on weekends. My neighbors’ use of the Light Rail is a prime example of how public transportation is supposed to work, resulting in fewer cars on the road and a better quality of life for all the people of Hoboken. This decision to suspend direct service in and around the community is an example of poor planning by a government agency due to a failure to properly consider the functional usage of the Light Rail service.
I am confident that our elected officials agree with me that direct Light Rail service for the people of Hoboken, and especially the residents of the 4th Ward, must be restored. That is why I am calling on State Senator Brian Stack and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. to join me in the effort to ensure that New Jersey Transit swiftly restores direct service on the Light Rail in our city.
In particular, I hope that Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Jersey City Mayor Jerry Healy, and our neighboring Ward E Councilman Steve Fulop will take an active role in the pursuit of correcting this problem, which will otherwise be detrimental to the economy of both cities. Retail and restaurants will suffer as a result of this service termination. The opening of two new 4thWard restaurants, West End Station and Danny’s Steakhouse, are relying on the light rail service to bring customers to the area, which already has limited parking available.
For too long, the southwest of Hoboken has been lacking in convenient public transportation options, and this is one step further in the wrong direction. The lack of viable mass transit alternatives is counterintuitive to the city’s stated goal of decreasing dependence on cars in order to help alleviate parking and traffic problems. Residents can not be expected to rely on public transportation when public transportation fails to take into account their actual needs for services.
I also encourage residents to contact NJ Transit Customer Service at (973) 275-5555 to express their outrage at this change of service.
Tim Occhipinti
4thWard Council Candidate