ContactsNewark Camden Washington, DC Quick Links
|
Newsroom: Press Releases
Lautenberg, Menendez Expedite $25 Million in Funding for NJ TransitLautenberg Press Office: (202) 224-3224Thursday, November 15, 2012
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) have announced that they have worked with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite $25 million in funding to NJ Transit. The funding, from the Surface Transportation Program, would normally have taken up to 30 days to get to the state, but by fast tracking it, arrived in four. “This federal funding will help New Jersey Transit get commuter trains running again as quickly as possible,” said Lautenberg. “While New Jersey recovers from Superstorm Sandy, we are committed to providing our communities with the resources they need, but this is only the beginning. Our recovery will not be complete without rebuilding our transportation system and expanding rail service to prevent disruptions like this from happening again.” “The federal government remains committed to cutting any red tape necessary to speed our recovery, and I am glad we could help in that effort,” said Menendez. “NJ Transit is suffering from enormous new costs to restore service, while at the same time seeing decreases in revenues, so this funding is critical in helping them get through this cash crunch.” NJ Transit has suffered damage to dozens of its locomotives and rail cars. In addition to substantial capital costs the service is also expending record amounts of operating funds to get service restored and fund complementary service such as additional temporary ferry service into Manhattan. The $25 million in funding from the Surface Transportation funding was already owed to NJ Transit, but by expediting the funding, the agency will have access to the funding a month earlier. The Surface Transportation Program provides flexible funding that may be used by States and localities for transit, highway, or bridge projects. ###
|
 |
