Letter to the Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary of the Department of Transportation - Advocating for Federal Funding to Advance Implementation of Life-Saving Technology on NJ Transit

Letter

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.

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