BOARD ACTS TO MAKE TWO RAIL STATIONS ACCESSIBLE

Madison, Morristown set for accessibility improvements

NJ TRANSIT’s Board of Directors today approved two advertising agreements that will generate a minimal $40 million over the next five years, with the potential for substantially more revenue during the life of the contracts.

The Board approved a contract with Titan Outdoor of New York, N.Y., for bus, rail and light rail advertising. The company guaranteed $29.65 million and $2 million in media barter for five years; All-Vision of East Windsor, Conn., was awarded the contract for billboard management with a minimum guarantee of $8 million over five years to NJ TRANSIT, with the potential for more than $2 million in additional revenues from innovative commercial strategies.

“This is about maximizing resources in a time when resources are limited,” said NJ DOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Jack Lettiere. “It’s also about continuing to look for innovative financing to help offset costs to maintain and build a strong transportation network for the residents of New Jersey.”

“Together with smart commercial partners, we are leveraging our real estate asset to increase non-farebox revenues that support our core business,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington. “This is a good business deal for NJ TRANSIT that will increase the amount of revenue we generate through advertising on our property.”

Historically, a single contractor represented NJ TRANSIT in the sale of all revenue-generating space. However, the Corporation solicited proposals that allowed contractors to vie for different elements to promote competition and encourage new advertising forms such as station domination programs, full and partial vehicle wraps and street furniture programs.

The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved several contract amendments aimed at making Morristown and Madison rail stations compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both stations have been designated as key stations under NJ TRANSIT’s Commuter Rail Accessibility Plan, which targets key facilities to become accessible to persons with disabilities.

“We must continue to make mass transit a viable option for our customers with disabilities,” said NJ DOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Jack Lettiere. “We are committed to a mass transit system that is open and accessible to everyone.”

“It’s not enough for our service to be reliable; it must also be a real choice for all residents in the state,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington. “The Corporation continues to focus on creating a better commuting experience for every person.”

Existing contracts under consideration with Urbahn/Frankfurt of New York, N.Y., include:

· A $135,000 amendment for final design services at Madison and Morristown stations.

· A $75,000 amendment for construction assistance services at Morristown Station.

· A $175,000 addition for construction assistance at Madison Station.

When the projects are complete, customers will see two new elevators and two new mini-high platforms at each station. At Morristown, for example, customers also will see bathrooms designed for people with disabilities and an extended low-level platform.

Morristown Station serves about 1,800 riders on an average weekday; Madison Station serves about 1,500 riders on an average weekday.

Morristown Station improvements are scheduled for completion this summer; Madison Station improPAN>In the past, NJ TRANSIT has provided an impressive portfolio of space that includes:

2,100 buses (interior bus cards, exterior tails and sides)
845 rail cars (4,200 interior frames)
65 light rail vehicles (300 interior frames)
2,200 rail station and platform posters
30 bridges with advertising
451 billboards on right-of-way
67 painted bulletins
186 poster panels
198 junior panels

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing bus, rail and light rail services for 752,600 daily trips on 238 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 162 rail stations, 49 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. vements are scheduled for completion by the winter 2005.

To date, 61 of NJ TRANSIT’s rail stations are accessible and all of the stations along the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River LINE systems are ADA compliant.