Washington, D.C.
On July 26, the New Jersey Delegation including Representatives Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Robert J. Menendez (D-NJ-08), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Andy Kim (D-NJ-03), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) sent a follow up letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressing significant concern with the need for long-term repair work along the Northeast Corridor and the continued breakdowns in Amtrack rail operations that have caused major delays for NJ TRANSIT commuters. The members also urged the DOT to give careful consideration to Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT applications for federal grants to improve wiring, signals, and tracks on the Northeast Corridor. Specifically, members asked for a schedule outlining how Amtrak intends to spend the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds appropriated for repair work along the Northeast Corridor.
Following repeated delays for NJ TRANSIT customers due to Amtrak disruptions through May and June, the New Jersey Congressional Delegation sent Secretary Buttigieg a letter on June 25 urging the DOT to investigate the breakdowns along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. In this follow-up letter, Members of Congress highlight ongoing concern with the continued need for maintenance and repair work. For example, on July 21, downed wiring on Amtrak tracks between Metropark and Newark Penn Station resulted in the cancellation or delay of dozens of NJ TRANSIT trains. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) voiced the frustrations of many, stating, “I’m sick and tired of a ‘Summer of Hell’ — year after year. We need Amtrak to use the $6 billion we passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to repair these lines so NJ TRANSIT commuters see fewer delays. It's time to get this fixed." The New Jersey Delegation underscores the impact these issues have on tens of thousands of New Jerseyans.
The letter also draws attention to the federal grant requests submitted by Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT to improve the electric traction system and signals between North Brunswick and Newark. By emphasizing the ongoing delays in the NJ TRANSIT system, the Delegation urges the DOT to support these applications to prevent future service disruptions. Critically, the letter calls for the $6 billion of funding for the state-of-good-repair projects in the Northeast Corridor featured in the BIL to be used immediately. Members of the Delegation also ask for the DOT to have Amtrak provide a schedule regarding how these funds will be appropriated.
In their conclusion, these Members of Congress encourage the DOT to “urgently outline a plan to keep commuters fully informed of planned and unplanned disruptions.”
CNEC proudly endorses this letter and hopes that the DOT and Secretary Buttigieg take the actions necessary to prioritize the improvement of passenger rail service within the Northeast Corridor to support New Jersey families and prevent future delays and cancellations.
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