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Passaic Freeholders Bring North Jersey Rail Coalition Online

PATERSON, N.J. -- The North Jersey Rail Coalition has launched a website to serve as a hub for information on major mass transit projects in North Jersey.

Elected officials came together to form the North Jersey Rail Coalition.

Elected officials came together to form the North Jersey Rail Coalition.

Photo Credit: passaiccountynj.org
Bill Pascrell and Passaic County officials formed the North Jersey Rail Coalition

Bill Pascrell and Passaic County officials formed the North Jersey Rail Coalition

Photo Credit: pascrell.house.gov

The NJRC was founded in 2015 by a consortium of elected officials at local, state and federal levels. Its primary goal is to advocate for mass transit projects in North Jersey, including advancing legislation, raising awareness and securing funding to address the mass transit needs of North Jersey commuters.

The Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders helped fund NorthJerseyRail.org, which includes information on the Passaic-Bergen-Hudson Rail Project and the Bergen Loop.

The Passaic-Bergen-Hudson Rail Project originates in Hawthorne, adjacent to the existing Bergen Main Line Passenger Service station and terminates in Hudson County, offering a seamless connection to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail at the Tonnelle Avenue Station. There are proposed stations in Hawthorne, Paterson, Elmwood Park, Hackensack and North Bergen.

The Bergen Loop is a component of the Gateway Tunnel Project that creates one-seat train service from the Pascack Valley, Main and Bergen lines into New York's Penn Station.

"Through NorthJerseyRail.org, the North Jersey Rail Coalition is going to continue to spread the word about the importance of ensuring that the Passaic-Bergen-Hudson Rail Project and Bergen Loop are funded and completed," said Passaic County Freeholder Director Theodore "T.J." Best.

Led by Congressman Bill Pascrell and Assemblyman Tim Eustace, the NJRC's first goal is to restart the Passaic-Bergen-Rail Project to drive economic redevelopment, reduce traffic congestion and create new intermodal links in New Jersey Transit's system, as well as ensuring the Bergen Loop is included in the Gateway Tunnel Project.

"The Passaic-Bergen-Hudson Rail Project increases access to public transportation, provides an important solution to regional congestion and will help propel northern New Jersey's economy forward," Pascrell said. "We have seen tremendous momentum for our cause, including supportive resolutions passed by local and county governments ... and proposed legislation in Trenton."

"With so many important mass transit projects in North Jersey we need a unified voice to advocate and educate our residents and decision makers," Eustace said.

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