Join Our Next Meeting!
The button above will take you to a full list of “ABCs” (Alternatives, Back-Ups, and Contingencies) for all NJ Transit rail lines. Get home, or to your other destination, safely!
Meeting on Zoom! Monday, January 26th, 6:45–9:00 p.m.
Lackawanna Coalition Chairperson Emeritus David Peter Alan will bring us an outlook for passenger rail in 2026 as well as an overview of new starts. This month, we’re on Zoom, as the library is closed for the inclement weather. Find the Zoom registration link and more information here.
Residents’ Opinions Sought on Weekend/Off-Peak Service
We have long advocated expanding rail service on the Montclair-Boonton line, and NJ Transit has finally heard the calls. One issue has been a Montclair resolution opposing weekend train service, and the council is looking to reconsider that item. As times and people’s interest change, Montclair, Bloomfield, and Glen Ridge municipal governments are surveying community residents as to their interest and practice in travelling by transit to New York City off-peak and on weekends. We encourage residents to fill out the surveys and make their wishes known. Please check the closing dates of these surveys—don’t get closed out!
For Montclair Residents: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mtctransit
For Bloomfield Residents: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QPB5DS5
For Glen Ridge Residents: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5WWVD9W
Congressional Candidate Q&A on Northern New Jersey’s Commuter Crisis
ROUTE, with our support, sent a survey to all 12 candidates for the NJ-11 special election to replace Mikie Sherrill in the House of Representatives; 11 responded. We publish their responses, unedited, without taking any position in the election—both ROUTE and the Lackawanna Coalition are completely nonpartisan. Results at this link.
ROUTE Joins the Lackawanna Coalition in Request for Better NJT Contingency Plans
The Lackawanna Coalition and ROUTE (Restore OUr Transit in Essex), submitted a joint statement to the September meeting of NJ Transit’s Operations & Customer Service Committee, asking for better contingency plans for unexpected service disruptions. The work-train derailment earlier that month left us wondering if the agency could have done better in maintaining partial service, rerouting M&E trains through the Montclair-Boonton line, or adding bus connections. We know that such changes can be difficult on the fly, but if there are known options thought out in advance, there could be a signal to use Plan B, Plan C, etc. We appreciate service being restored quickly, but would like NJT to think in advance about options beyond their “ABC” suggestions—ours are here.
