Benson Statement on NJ TRANSIT Completing Positive Train Control Year-End Goal

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Daniel Benson, chair of the Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, released the following statement regarding NJ TRANSIT reaching 100-percent completion of the Federal Railroad Administration’s 2018 year-end goal for Positive Train Control installation:

“Today marks a tremendous milestone for NJ TRANSIT. The agency has accomplished what many thought would be impossible; complete four years’ worth of work in 12 months, or potentially face federal fines. But our NJ TRANSIT has done the seemingly impossible by meeting this goal.

“Commuters will be happy to know the project’s completion should free up resources and hopefully reduce cancellations, and begin restoring service to riders who were inconvenienced while work was underway. And once Positive Train Control is fully operational – hopefully by the end of 2020 – commuters can be assured our railways are safer, as the newly installed equipment will stop runaway trains or prevent trains from running into each other.

“NJ TRANSIT riders have had to endure many challenges while the agency worked to complete this very important work. I’m pleased to see NJ TRANSIT taking the necessary steps to improve performance and the overall experience for riders.  I applaud them for this significant accomplishment.”