NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today led a letter on behalf of the New Jersey delegation supporting New Jersey Transit’s (NJT) request for federal funding to advance its implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) along its rail lines. The letter was cosigned by U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (N.J.-04), Frank Pallone (N.J.-06), Rodney Frelinghuysen (N.J.-11), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.-02), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09), Scott Garrett (N.J.-05), Albio Sires (N.J.-08), Leonard Lance (N.J.-07), Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10), Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.-12) and Tom MacArthur (N.J.-03).

“As part of the most transit-intensive region in the nation, an investment to expedite the deployment of PTC in New Jersey will serve a large volume of passengers and make a lasting contribution to the safety of travelers throughout our region,” New Jersey’s Congressional delegation wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

On Sept. 29, a train on NJT’s Pascack Valley Line crashed into the Hoboken Terminal, killing a woman on the platform and injuring more than 100. A preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board found that the train abruptly accelerated to more than twice the posted speed limit just moments before impact; the track, signals and brakes were functioning as designed.

“PTC has the potential to save lives and reduce injuries by preventing rail crashes from occurring,” the lawmakers continued. “Although we do not yet know the cause, the recent fatal rail crash at Hoboken Station is a stark reminder of the need to improve safety for the nation’s transit riders.”

According to its June filing to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), NJT has made zero progress on PTC despite a Dec. 2018 federally-imposed deadline for completion.

The FAST Act, the national transportation legislation passed last year, included $199 million in competitive grants for passenger railroads to implement PTC. NJT has requested $10 million to fund the third phase of its Advanced Speed Enforcement System II (ASESII), a system designed to interface with Amtrak’s PTC technology and with future systems planned by the region’s freight railroads. Specifically, the grant will allow for the purchase of equipment kits, along with the installation, testing, and commissioning of this equipment.

Full text of the letter follows:

October 14, 2016

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary Foxx:

We write today in strong support of the application submitted by New Jersey Transit for $10 million to advance its implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology and to improve safety for New Jersey travelers.

As one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation, New Jersey Transit provides over 80 million rail trips annually, moving passengers more than 2.2 billion miles. Transit plays a central role in our state’s mobility, economy, and quality of life, and ensuring the safety of transit riders is among our highest priorities.

As you know, PTC has the potential to save lives and reduce injuries by preventing rail crashes from occurring. Although we do not yet know the cause, the recent fatal rail crash at Hoboken Station is a stark reminder of the need to improve safety for the nation’s transit riders.

If awarded, this $10 million grant will fund the third phase of New Jersey Transit’s Advanced Speed Enforcement System II (ASESII), a system designed to interface with Amtrak’s PTC technology and with future systems planned by the region’s freight railroads. Specifically, the grant will allow for the purchase of equipment kits, along with the installation, testing, and commissioning of this equipment.

As part of the most transit-intensive region in the nation, an investment to expedite the deployment of PTC in New Jersey will serve a large volume of passengers and make a lasting contribution to the safety of travelers throughout our region. We request your careful consideration of New Jersey Transit’s application, and thank you for your continued leadership to improve safety for rail travelers.

###