Morristown Mayor Speaks Out Against NJT Service Changes

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty is speaking out against New Jersey Transits planned service changes on the Morris & Essex Midtown Direct line during Amtrak repair work this summer.

Between July 10 and Sept. 1, all Midtown Direct trains will terminate at Hoboken, meaning commuters will have to use another way into New York City. During this time period, fares will be discounted by roughly 50 percent-- but Dougherty says that isn't enough.

“Residents in our area have come forward with their concerns about how the proposed fare discounts will not compensate for the time taken away from their families and loved ones this summer,” said Dougherty. “I will be meeting with the Mayors of neighboring towns to discuss what the next appropriate step will be to help the riders in the area who share the same opposition as we do.”

• Read More: Big Disruptions For Morris & Essex Line Commuters This Summer

Dougherty said mayors in neighboring towns are planning on forming an "alliance" to "express objection and discuss possible alternatives. Orange, Livingston, West Orange, Summit, and Millburn have all rallied against the changes.

Roughly 23,00 passengers use the Morris & Essex line daily. It will be the only line with major service changes; other lines have been told to expect 15-30 minute delays during repair work.

Officials in Essex County are also speaking out against the service changed. Maplewood Mayor Victor De Luca and South Orange Village President Sheena Collum issued a joint statement, saying the changes unfairly impacted their towns:

As mayors of two town on the Morris and Essex train line with nearly 7,000 daily riders at our three train stations, we are registering our objection to the decision by Governor Chris Christie and NJ Transit to divert all M&E Midtown Direct trains to Hoboken during the eight-week repair period at Penn Station.

Train riders from our communities will have their personal and professional lives disrupted dramatically and the proposed fare discounts will not make up for the missed time with their families and the negative impacts on their business dealings.

• Read more: Essex County Is Getting Fed Up With Amtrak/NJ Transit Delays

“South Orange is the busiest station on the Morris & Essex line and I had to learn about these changes that affect my residents by watching a press conference,” Collum said. “[There was] no communication and certainly no transparency.”

• Read More: NJ Transit Says Penn Station Delays Will Continue Indefinitely
• Read More: Bill Could Give NJ Transit Riders Free Tickets For Delays

Image via Wikimedia Commons

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