NJ: Camden-Glassboro line supported, but funding will be difficult Options

[Sloan]

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20100..._difficult.html

[KevinKorell]

It's been a year since this was announced, and already it is a political football. And with a confused media, information about the project is coming to the public that may not be totally accurate. The public needs to know exactly what is on the table, so that they can approve or disapprove of it to their politicians.

With the recent fare hikes and service cuts at NJ TRANSIT, it is going to be hard to justify building an entirely new line within the state ... even if it is sorely needed.

[jis]

The hearings that are taking place are part of the required outreach for putting together the EIS. I am not sure how much political football is involved in this at this point. NJT is funding the EIS. One cannot apply for federal funds with any hopes of success until the NEPA EIS is completed.

[KevinKorell]

What I meant by a political football was that a year ago when this was announced, there was a different Governor and a different NJT Executive Director. Those who hold those seats now are of course blaming their predecessors for waste and trying to do one better. Whether any of us agrees more with the old or new regimes, the bottom line is that the players have changed and might have different ideas about what is right for the state.