MOM Rail Service

transit383 wrote:Take a look at some of the editorials that were published along with this story in the paper last week. The cartoon is very one-sided and any cartoon depicting the MOM Line in this particular paper has always been anti-rail.

Kind of funny [the cartoon]. But really, they can do nothing.

Very Funny Cartoon but if they want to build a new commuter line they just have as much of a right to as these people can sell their house.

transit383 wrote:The real issue, big fancy homes and NIMBYs:

“It went through backyards within 50 feet of half-million-dollar homes. It just didn’t make any sense,” Nalitt said. “If somebody comes up with a better idea with a different route, I certainly would support it. But this one was a loser from the word, ‘Go.’ ”

All they need do is look at the Morris & Essex line through South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn, Short Hills, Summit, etc., to see that having a rail line hasn't really made a dent on property values of "half-million-dollar homes" --even million-dollar-plus homes--that lie along the ROW. In fact, the property values are enhanced by the proximity to mass transit.

I live near the recently-built station in Union Township (Union County), and I know the property values went up thanks to the nearness of the station.

Now, for the folks who live along the Rahway Valley Line, Nalitt's arguments would make more sense, since that's slated for freight-only traffic. MOM is for passenger rail (only?), so it likely will have a positive impact on property values.

Plus, these residents should realize that: a) they can use proximity to a station on MOM as a selling point; and/or b) their urgency to sell their house to get away from the train will be the primary factor in driving down their selling price.

Anti-rail zealots in Middlesex County can and will use any angle they can play. NJ-ARP expects that.

But this card is, in our view, a sign of weakness and not of strength. We'll see how it plays out.

And make the service electric/direct to NYC, property values go up.

And, you can live next door to an electric line and if your home's anywhere near 1/2way decently built (ok, not the average McManson today, most are built like crap). you'll likely never even notice it.

All they need do is look at the Morris & Essex line through South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn, Short Hills, Summit, etc., to see that having a rail line hasn't really made a dent on property values of "half-million-dollar homes" --even million-dollar-plus homes--that lie along the ROW. In fact, the property values are enhanced by the proximity to mass transit.

They don't need to go that far to take a look - right here in Middlesex cty - look at Metuchen. Or for that matter, look at West Windsor too.

I agree, make the service electric with direct service to NYP, and that will really increase the property values. NJT should be able to point to the M&E and Montclair as examples.

An earlier editorial and cartoon from the same paper. Apologies for not posting it earlier.

Just to dispel what may be a misperception on this thread, New Jersey Transit is -- once more -- hostile to MOM via Monmouth Junction.

To that end, NJT will host an official bus tour of three MOM options, iostensibly to "educate" the North Jersey Transit Advisory Committee of the pros and cons of each option.

However, NJT has been crafty (and someless less than its usual forthright self) in addressing the overt hostility shown to its current pet favorite, the "Oops, where's Matawan?" option, by NJ-ARP, Monmouth and Ocean county officials, and other pro-MOM voices. In particular, it has tried to blame the two counties for any delays in the DEIS process -- suddenly NJ Transit is a time-sensitive machine, after dragging its heels on MOM for a decade or more!

Whether NJT can persuade the NJTAC of its vision on this issue remains to be seen. NJ-ARP's verdict on NJT is already in, however. Some vision. Some future.

A 2002 departmental memo at NJ Transit indicates that agency staff considered the Matawan alternative a poor choice for the proposed new commuter rail line from Ocean and Monmouth counties, even though it had been included as one of three options in the agency's draft environmental impact study.

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl ... 50444/1004

"But it's not politics involved," an New Jersey Transit official insistently, urgently tells NJ-ARP from time to time. "We're basing [MOM] on the merits, and on the data we have at any given time."

NJ-ARP has (and always has) replied: "Hey, we know politics is involved. Heck, NJ-ARP itself is part of that process. Step up to the plate and admit it." But New Jersey Transit can't seem to do that, particularly when it comes to Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex rail passenger service.

We're pleased with this most recent article because, even beyond the dated memo, it illustrates just how weak the anti-MOM arguments really are. South Brunswick's august representative gets caught in an out-and-out falsehood (one must "transfer") and a bogus assumption (no one wants to go "west" -- even if they want to access New Brunswick, eh?).

As we've cautioned before, however, the press, while getting the story down fairly well, is not necessarily on the cusp of MOM's current status.

HAHAHAHAHHA

Oh, NO, there are NO politics in play at NJT............

HAHAHAHAHAHA

The fact is the NIMBY's control many aspects within New Jersey.

That's why Interstate 78 took 25 years longer to be finished than it did. That's also why Interstate 95 as originally proposed from North of Trenton to Piscataway was never built.

So if the NIMBY's don't want rail in their community...fine. They can hop in their Ranger Rovers or Bimmers or what have you and drive to the closest station. Just don't start whining and crying that you have to drive to get to a station...cause thats when I'll say: "Talk to the hand cause the ears ain't listening."

In other words, they will have no right to complain over their commuter woes.

That doesn't take care of people like me who are paying taxes and want to be able to take the train to where I'm going.

F3A wrote:The fact is the NIMBY's control many aspects within New Jersey.

That's why Interstate 78 took 25 years longer to be finished than it did. That's also why Interstate 95 as originally proposed from North of Trenton to Piscataway was never built.

.

or take I-278 from the Goethals to the NJ24 / I-78 interchange in Springfield, if you can. Or NJ 24 west through Mendham and Chester

Without commenting on the worth of all the potential highway projects and extensions cited, NJ-ARP would note:

MOM, via Monmouth Junction, would employ an existing right-of-way, creating little if any disruption, and little if any landtaking (or disruption of existing infrastructure).

If the MOM NIMBYs and anti-rail forces truly were arguing about the use (or abuse) of eminent domain, and the (massive?) taking of private property, for rail passenger purposes, NJ-ARP would be obtuse not to heed them.

But those opposed to MOM are objecting to the use of someone else's property to foster transport choice -- not their own.

And, as Ryanov correctly notes, they cite their planned non-use of MOM service -- that's their right -- as justification to deny others (including their neighbors) the option and choice to select for themselves.