Give U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer plenty of credit: He is willing and eager to take on any problem. Even one that has vexed politicians in New Jersey for years: New Jersey Transit delays.
On Monday in Glen Rock, Gottheimer (D-5th Dist.) announced the “All Aboard Act” — new federal action that aims to address the pervasive delays and cancellations impacting NJ Transit service, driven by Amtrak-owned and operated rails and infrastructure.
The bill includes a Rail Passenger Bill of Rights that guarantees Amtrak and NJ Transit customers impacted by Amtrak delays will receive automatic, prompt and full refunds when their trains are canceled or significantly changed by more than three hours. This is similar to the recently adopted passenger bill of rights for airlines.
Second, the bill will put an end to Amtrak’s “run to fail” strategy, which does not replace infrastructure until it is well beyond its known lifespan. Amtrak will be required to produce a report on alternative maintenance strategies to Congress in the next six months and phase out its “run to fail” strategy within the next two years.
The legislation is one of three steps Gottheimer said he is taking. He also called on Amtrak to deploy the $6 billion in federal investment that Congress allocated to maintain its Northeast Corridor rail infrastructure as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
Gottheimer said he intends to meet with Amtrak officials — and has requested a meeting with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Gottheimer, who was joined by Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D-Paramus) and Glen Rock Council President Jill Orlich, said it’s time to take action.
“These delays and cancellations are a headache for commuters, a real obstacle for our transit system and, frankly, a drain on our entire state,” he said. “I hear from my constituents every day that something has got to give.
“Today, to help get our trains back on track, and help stop the misery for commuters and families, I’m announcing new action to help reduce the NJ Transit delays. For the sake of our Jersey and our entire region, it’s time to start solving problems.”
Gottheimer’s office said the congressman has fought for a total of $66 billion in rail investments — including $4.5 billion for Jersey public transit, specifically, and $11 billion for the Gateway Train Tunnel Project by helping craft and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
Clearly, however, there is work to be done.
According to this office, in June, 657 NJ Transit trains were canceled in June — with 415 of the cancellations credited to Amtrak.
