Federal Shutdown Affecting Restoration Of Princeton Dinky Service

PRINCETON, NJ — It looks as if there is no end in sight at the moment to the closure of the Dinky Rail service line in Princeton.

A number of factors are contributing to the delay of the restoration for the Princeton Branch including the ongoing government shutdown.

The Dinky was initially shutdown in October 2018 to allow NJ Transit to install the Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment on their rail fleet. As a result the rail service was replaced by buses on weekdays and weekends that was estimated to last through mid-January.

Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert spoke with NJ Transit officials on Wednesday, Jan. 23 regarding an update, but did not get good news.

“Unfortunately there is no change in status to the line at this point, and the NJ Transit officials were unable to confirm a date when service would be resumed,” Lempert said to Patch. “It is especially crucial to restart the service because of upcoming road and bridge work on Alexander.”

Republican Senator Kip Bateman (D-16) noted how “frustrating” the Dinky situation is.

“We need to sit together as bi-partisans and work this out. The Princeton folks are frustrated,” Bateman said.

NJ Transit Spokesman Jim Smith noted that Rail Service planners are evaluating a number of factors that affect the timing of service restoration for the Princeton Branch (the “Dinky”) and other lines around the state

“These factors include equipment availability, continuing engineer staffing challenges, and the potential effect of the continuing Federal government shutdown,” Smith said.

Bateman is working with officials at the New Jersey Department of Transportation to address this issue with NJ Transit.

“I am hoping to get this resolved sooner rather than later. I am on top of it,” Bateman added.

Around 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed or working without pay since Dec. 21 and won't receive their next paychecks until the government reopens. As of Thursday, the government shutdown is in its 34th day of the shutdown.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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