Toll of Commuting: NJ Transit takes over River Line operations after pattern of poor service
A joint statement from NJ Transit and Alstom earlier this month announced that NJT will take over operations of the River Line from Alstom, a contractor that also supplies New Jersey Transit's rail cars.
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New Jersey Transit operates several light rail lines to help commuters get to work or to the agency's larger rail stations. The corporation has now taken direct control of one line that had been run by a third party.
A joint statement from NJ Transit and Alstom earlier this month announced that NJT will take over operations of the River Line from Alstom, a contractor that also supplies New Jersey Transit's rail cars.
The statement called it a "mutually agreed decision" as the River Line's needs have grown beyond Alstom's contract. NJ Transit had paid Alstom more than $25 million annually to operate the line to mixed reviews.
"Sometimes they leave early, sometimes they leave late, sometimes they don't come at all!” said River Line rider Kareem Franklin.
He rides light rail every day from Willingboro to Trenton and then continues to New Brunswick to get to work.
New Jersey Transit data shows the River Line had, by far, the lowest on-time percentage of the agency's three light rail lines in July at just 82.3%. The other lines were both over 93%. The agency’s stated goal for light rail on-time percentage is over 97%.
Trenton is one of the River Line's anchor cities. Its mayor supports the move.
"Kris Kolluri and NJ Transit made the right decision to absorb the River Line directly and put the full weight of NJ Transit behind this,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “And as more development is occurring along the River Line, which is a good thing for New Jersey, we really need to have reliable transportation."
The 34-mile River Line could be bolstered by the planned Glassboro-Camden Line project further south. Before that, riders will be watching closely to see if NJ Transit can ease the toll of their River Line commute.
