NEW JERSEY – Congressman Tom Kean, Jr‘s (R-NJ) Thursday bipartisan legislation, ‘The One-Seat-Ride Act‘, passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The legislation, cosponsored by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a cost/benefit analysis of a one-seat-ride trip versus a transfer trip option during “peak hours” on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line.
The results of this study will then be transmitted to key congressional committees. The One-Seat-Ride Act is now up for consideration to move to the House Floor.
Currently, Raritan Valley Line passengers are forced to change trains at Newark Penn Station to access New York City and make the same change heading westbound. A ‘One-Seat-Ride‘ allows passengers to take one time-efficient train from stations such as Westfield, Somerville, and Lebanon directly into New York City.
“We are now one step closer to paving the way for a more connected and efficient future, where commuters can travel seamlessly both east and westbound. For New Jerseyans this means more time at home and less time commuting. My priority will continue to be breaking down transportation barriers by enhancing our region’s infrastructure. I appreciate the bipartisan support of my colleagues on this bill as well as the leadership of Chairman Sam Graves,” said Kean said.
“Having the Secretary of Transportation analyze the costs and benefits of giving commuters, such as Congressman Kean‘s constituents, better one-ride rail service makes sense, and I commend him for championing this issue, going back to his days in the New Jersey Senate,” said Chairman Graves.
“The Raritan Valley Line serves over 23,000 commuters each day – and many of those commuters have to switch trains at Newark Penn Station during peak commuting hours while other lines have direct access to Manhattan. This report is a necessary step towards a more equitable and efficient system that serves more of the hard working people of New Jersey,” Coleman said.
