Light Rail Transit Association   URBAN TRANSIT NEWS 2004

Camden Trenton open: South Jersey's new rail service, the River Line, opened to the public early Sunday morning after a ceremonial opening on Saturday. The 34 mile line which cost USD 1 billion is operated by diesel light-rail cars and is intended to bring about regeneration for the towns along its route. With 20 stops the journey time is 1¼ hours.

While the projected daily ridership of 2,950 people is half of original forecasts made in 1996 New Jersey Transit expects the line to generate USD1.5 million in sales in its first full year of operation with taxpayers providing USD73 million to cover operating costs. The project has come under severe criticism but officials say that such criticism is unfair, and that the rail system will eventually help transform the area.
15 March 2004