McGreevey eases congestion on Ocean County's roads

Governor delivers 250 park and ride spaces in Toms River

In addition to the expanded park & ride, which originally housed 298 spaces, a new commuter facility will open in December 2003 to provide restrooms and vending machines. Commuters at this location are served by two bus lines – Academy, a private carrier, which transports commuters to Wall Street, and NJ Transit which transports commuters to Manhattan, Newark, Jersey City, Middletown, and Atlantic City.

“Drivers in New Jersey lose 261 million hours a year to congestion – an average of 45 hours per driver. This is time that could be better spent with our families,” said McGreevey. “To reduce the sheer number of cars on our roads, we must make mass transit the ticket to lessening traffic. To that end, I promised New Jersey’s commuters that I would create an additional 20,000 park and ride spaces and today, we are delivering 250 new spaces here in Toms River.”

“With 73% of New Jersey’s weekday commuters driving alone, we must continue to make every effort to improve our mass transit system,” said Lettiere. “Transportation Trust Fund investments such as this commuter facility go a long way toward easing congestion on our highways and improving the quality of life for all New Jersey residents.”

The Governor has promised to create 20,000 new commuter parking spaces throughout the state. These new spots will increase park and ride spaces from 95,000 to 115,000 over the next five years – an expansion of 21%.
Since Governor McGreevey took office, he has delivered over 3000 parking spots for commuters in 12 Park & Ride locations throughout New Jersey that are currently in use.

This includes parking at the Hazlet Rail Station (83 spots), Lyndhurst Rail Station (474 spots), the Grove Street Station of the Newark City Subway (160 spots), Union Rail Station (475 spots), Delawanna Rail Station (120 spots), Arlington Plaza in Morris County (100 spots), New Providence (114 spots), Veldran Avenue in Bergen County (26 spots), the Midland Park & Ride (68 spots), "Mothers" Park & Ride (926 spots), Hamilton Rail Station (300 spots), and Route 46 Mt. Arlington (250 spots).

In addition, last month, Governor McGreevey announced an additional 5,396 Park & Ride spots in 17 locations that are nearing completion.

These include: 13 locations along the South Jersey Light Rail that have been paved and striped and will provide 3121 spots once the SJLR opens; Waterview Boulevard Park & Ride in Morris County that is scheduled to open in December 2003 and will provide 275 spots; Washington Township Park & Ride, the design of which has been completed and once complete, will provide 300 spots; South Mountain Arena Park & Ride which is in the pre-design phase and once completed will provide deck parking with 500 spots; Montclair State University Park & Ride which is under construction and is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2004 and will provide 1500 parking spots.

From day one, the McGreevey Administration made an unwavering commitment to expand and improve mass transit. Notable accomplishments include the addition of nearly 17,000 rail passenger seats, the purchase of 100 bi-level rail cars and 29 powerful ALP-46 locomotive engines, extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service and the refurbishing and rebuilding of existing bus terminals and rail stations.