NJ TRANSIT BOARD APPROVES FISCAL YEAR 2003 CAPITAL SPENDING PLAN

NEWARK, NJ, July 10, 2002 -- The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today adopted a $1.22 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2003 (FY03), which runs from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. The budget provides additional transit service on NJ TRANSIT's core system, including:

6.4 million more seats on the rail network annually; and,
2 million more seats on the bus network annually.

"The 2003 Operating Budget demonstrates our promise to work harder and smarter with our funding," said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox.

"The $1.22 billion, which includes the same $260 million in State subsidy as last year, will be used to increase seats on our bus and rail systems through better use of our equipment and still support the startup of new services, such as the Montclair Connection, the extension of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to Hoboken and the opening of the East End Concourse at Penn Station New York."

Last May, Governor McGreevey announced plans to provide more seats on NJ TRANSIT's congested New York-bound commuter rail lines. NJ TRANSIT's FY03 Operating Budget funds the additional train service needed to implement those plans along with new Montclair Connection service, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service to Hoboken and the opening of New York Penn Station's East End Concourse. Also funded in the FY03 Operating Budget are a series of bus capacity enhancements announced by Executive Director George Warrington today. Overall, the budget provides for 50,000 additional bus runs annually.

"I am pleased that this budget provides for the additional capacity on our core rail and bus systems while at the same time funding new service," said NJ TR

NEWARK, NJ, JULY 10, 2002 -- NJ TRANSIT announced today it will relax its off-peak roundtrip ticket hours beginning August 5, following customer concerns. The Corporation also announced that it will lift the travel restrictions placed on senior citizens 65 and over and people with disabilities to allow them to travel all day with a discounted ticket.

"This restriction rollback will allow people 65 and over, and those with disabilities, to travel all day at half fare, and will trim peak hours so more people can utilize off-peak discounts," said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox.

"The adjustment to the off-peak round-trip ticket schedule will give our customers 32 more trains to choose from when using our system," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington. "In addition, we've lifted fare restrictions for senior citizens aged 65 and over and for persons with disabilities, which will give them more travel flexibility at half-fare throughout the day."

Off-Peak Ticketing:

Currently, weekday off-peak round-trip tickets are invalid between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. based on New York arrival and departure times.
Under the new schedule, customers will be able to use off-peak round-trip tickets all hours except weekday mornings between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and evenings between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. based on New York arrival and departure times. Customers should consult public timetables for specific train restrictions.

Senior Citizens 65+ and People with Disabilities:

Persons aged 65 and older and passengers with disabilities will be able to

NEWARK, NJ, July 10, 2002 -- NJ TRANSIT announced today that it will open its new East End Concourse at Penn Station New York on Monday, September 23, one week prior to the opening of its new Montclair-Boonton MidTOWN DIRECT service.
The announcement coincided with action taken today by the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors, awarding a three-year, $5.45 million contract to Meridian Management Corporation of Ponte Verde Beach, FL, for building maintenance, operations and management functions of the 50,000-square-foot East End Concourse. The concourse, a station-within-a-station, will provide NJ TRANSIT customers with their own waiting area, ticketing facilities and customer service functions currently shared in an area operated by Amtrak.
"Penn Station New York is NJ TRANSIT's busiest rail station and one of the busiest stations in the world, yet the commute for our customers has been trying at best," said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox. "During rush hours customers have been forced to wait in the main concourse for platform announcements and then run, en masse, to catch their trains. The East End Concourse will make it easier and more convenient to reach the platforms."
"The decision to open the East End Concourse September 23 is part of our commitment to increase capacity on the system," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington. "In this case, the new stairs, escalators and elevators that will serve the facility will increase passenger flow to and from the platforms, to other transit services and to the streets of Manhattan. Hiring Meridian to maintain the concourse will help us reduce operating costs and provide round-the-clock services at our busiest passenger facility."
Penn Station

NEWARK, NJ, July 10, 2002 -- NJ TRANSIT announced today a series of immediate improvements for its bus customers to improve reliability and reduce overcrowding.
"Today's announcement makes good on Governor James E. McGreevey's commitment to improve service for our constituents," said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox. "I applaud George Warrington's quick actions, which speak louder than words."
"These changes will provide approximately 4,500 additional seats each weekday for our bus customers," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington. "Our customers are getting a better return on their investment."
On August 31, new 45-foot Cruiser buses will be assigned to routes in Bergen and Passaic counties and routes from Monmouth and Middlesex counties. The new buses will provide 16 percent more seats and relieve overcrowding on the following routes:
- 68 East Brunswick -- Newark
- 131 Sayreville -- New York
- 133 Old Bridge -- Matawan -- New York
- 137 Toms River -- New York
- 138 East Brunswick -- New York
- 166 Dumont -- Tenafly -- New York
- 192 Clifton -- New York
- 194 Newfoundland -- New York
The Corporation reassigned some of its articulated buses, which are equipped with 20 additional seats than conventional buses, to the 154 Fort Lee -- New York line to reduce overcrowding. Evening service on the 158 Fort Lee -- Edgewater -- New York also will be operated with articulated buses.
Additional trips will be opera

NEWARK, NJ, July 10, 2002 -- NJ TRANSIT's Board of Directors today approved a $1.19 billion capital spending budget for Fiscal Year 2003 (FY03), which runs from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003.
"Despite the worst budget deficit in this State's history, the McGreevey Administration has made its commitment to transportation clear and NJ TRANSIT's 2003 Capital Spending Plan underscores that promise," said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox. "This year's plan provides an additional $60 million, which will help increase capacity on our rail system, expand commuter parking and launch new services as we prepare to wean the Corporation away from a long-standing practice of using capital dollars to offset operating expenses."
The capital plan is funded by $529 million from the State Transportation Trust Fund, $367 million from federal formula programs, $130 million from federal earmarks and $34 million from other sources. Also of significance is $130 million in funding for bi-level railcars from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ).
In addition to funding for capacity needs, NJ TRANSIT's FY03 Capital Program funds the purchase of new Comet V railcars, new cruiser and articulated buses and new electric and diesel locomotives. Continued funding is provided for first and second phases of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, the first phase of the Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link and the Southern New Jersey Light Rail Transit System.
"This program has been modified to the maximum extent possible to be more closely aligned with the 'back to basic' priorities that I have established, particularly regarding investments in service, seats, parking and capacity," said NJ TRANSIT Executive DirectANSIT Executive Director George Warrington. "We must continue to maximize our resources, increase internal efficiencies and, importantly, develop long-term investment policies in order to fund the very basic needs of our riders," he continued.
The spending plan is funded by $548.9 million from passenger revenues, $260 million from State operating assistance, $260 from the capital program, and $152.7 million from other resources. Mr. Warrington highlighted the policy issues facing the capital and operating budgets in his remarks before NJ TRANSIT's Board of Directors, expressing concerns for the increased dependence of the operating budget on funds from the capital program.
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 761,000 daily trips on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 163 rail stations, 27 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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travel on NJ TRANSIT trains at reduced fares at any time during the weekday.
A NJ TRANSIT reduced fare ID or Medicare Card will be required in order to receive the reduced fare.
It is important to note that the restrictions on seniors aged 62 to 64 will not change. Those seniors will continue to be eligible for the reduced fare on weekdays, except for peak period trains, shaded in NJ TRANSIT rail timetables, and all day Saturdays, Sundays and all State holidays,

For further information, riders in North Jersey can call NJ TRANSIT between 6 a.m. and midnight at 1-800-772-2222 or at 973-762-5100 from out of state. In South Jersey, riders may call NJ TRANSIT between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. at 1-800-582-5946 or at 215-569-3752 from Pennsylvania. For persons with hearing impairments, the number is 1-800-772-2287. Information is also available on the Internet at www.njtransit.com.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 761,000 daily trips on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 163 rail stations, 27 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

New York is the travel destination for more than 45 percent of NJ TRANSIT's rail passengers -- nearly 116,000 average weekday trips -- and is a major transportation hub for the northeast. Governor James E. McGreevey announced earlier this year that even more riders will begin using the facility when NJ TRANSIT opens the new MidTOWN DIRECT - Montclair service September 30, saving Montclair Branch and Boonton Line riders an estimated 15-20 minutes each way on their trips to and from midtown-Manhattan.

The new East End Concourse will include a passenger waiting area, customer service offices, accessible ticket windows, additional elevators, escalators and staircases to and from the platforms and artwork that includes scenes from the State of New Jersey. The opening will help to ease overcrowding, improve passenger circulation and allow NJ TRANSIT passengers to exit more quickly from train platforms to street level locations.

Due to the substantial increase in commuters traveling to Penn Station New York since September 11, NJ TRANSIT accelerated the opening of escalators and stairs in the New East End Concourse last year during the morning peak commuting hours. Passengers have been walking through designated areas of the concourse as work continues on the remaining portions off the facility.

The Board today awarded a three-year, $5.45 million contract -- with a two-year option -- to hire Meridian Management Corporation to fully serve the 50,000 square-foot East End Concourse. Meridian will provide all of the supervision, maintenance, repairs, inspection and materials required to support the maintenance and operations of building systems including the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, elevators, escalators, communications, architectural and mechanical services. Custodial services will include cleated during commuting times on the following lines:

71 Newark -- West Caldwell
72 Paterson -- New York
139 Lakewood -- New York
165 Westwood -- New York

Late night service will be added on the following lines:

21 Main Street
164 Midland Park -- New York

The relocation of East Orange High School will be accommodated with additional service on the 34 Market Street route, 90 Grove Street route and the 94 Stuyvesant route.

Additional trips on the weekends will be added to the following lines:

71 Newark -- West Caldwell
73 Newark -- Livingston
114 Bridgewater -- New York
126 Hoboken -- New York
165 Westwood -- New York

Reliability will be improved by adding new times to the schedule of the following routes:

26 Irvington -- Elizabeth
107 Irvington -- New York
129 Secaucus -- New York
166 Dumont -- New York

Following Governor McGreevey's rail schedule change announcement in May, NJ TRANSIT's has slashed the number of standees by 2,000 with aggressive planning and enhanced equipment cycling. The Corporation's schedule changes in August, which were scheduled to be implemented at the end of August, have been accelerated to begin at the start of the month.

Beginning August 3, additional trains will provide 7,300 more seats on the Northeast Corridor Line, 1,840 more seor George D. Warrington. "Although debt service, mandates and the ongoing transfer of capital funds to the operating budget consume the majority of the program, we have taken the first steps in transitioning this program to meet the basic infrastructure and capacity needs of the core system," he continued.

$260 million of the FY03 capital program is used to fund operating expenses. Debt service and commitments to ongoing light rail projects account for another $214 million and $159 million, respectively. During his remarks before NJ TRANSIT's Board of Directors, NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington addressed the use of capital funds in the operating budget and the need for a long-term policy for public transportation investment.

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ning of all public and service areas, pest control duties and cleaning of windows and artwork.

Meridian currently operates and manages several major facilities around the country including buildings for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system, the William P. Hobby Airport in Houston and Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn.

Penn Station New York is served by 220 daily NJ TRANSIT trains, as well as Amtrak, Long Island Railroad and the New York City subway system.

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ats on the Princeton Branch and 800 more seats on the North Jersey Coast Line.

Beginning August 3, nine new trains will be added to the Northeast Corridor Line schedule.

Inbound (To New York):

Train 7814, which departs Trenton at 7:38 a.m., will arrive in Penn Station New York at 8:53 a.m.
Train 7818, which departs Trenton at 8:38 a.m., will arrive in Penn Station New York at 9:53 a.m.
Train 7834, which departs Trenton at 12:35 p.m., will arrive in Penn Station New York at 1:53 p.m.
Train 7838, which departs Trenton at 1:38 p.m., will arrive in Penn Station New York at 2:53 p.m.

These inbound trains will run on Saturdays and holidays, making all stops from Trenton to Metropark -- excluding Jersey Avenue -- and Newark before arriving at Penn Station New York.

Outbound (To Trenton):

Train 7847, which departs Penn Station New York at 1:55 p.m., will arrive in Trenton at 3:12 p.m.
Train 7851, which departs Penn Station New York at 2:55 p.m., will arrive in Trenton at 4:12 p.m.
Train 7871, which departs Penn Station New York at 8:03 p.m., will arrive in Trenton at 9:18 p.m.
Train 7875, which departs Penn Station New York at 9:03 p.m., will arrive in Trenton at 10:18 p.m.
Train 7887, which departs Penn Station New York at 11:57 p.m., will arrive in Trenton at 1:19 a.m.

Trains 7847, 7851, 7871 and 7875 will run on Saturdays and holidays, making stops in Newark, Metropark and all stations to Trenton, except Jersey Avenue. Train 7887 will run on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, making all stops except North Elizabeth and Jersey Avenue.

The North Jersey Coast Line schedule will include an additional outbound train #7287 that will depart Penn Station New York at 11:52 p.m. and arrive at Long Branch at 1:20 a.m. The new service will run on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and make all stops except North Elizabeth and Jersey Avenue.

Other rail changes include a Woodbridge stop added to the Pony Express, a summer service that runs from Hoboken and Monmouth Park Racetrack on Saturdays and Sundays through September 1. Also, 16 Princeton Branch trips will be added to accommodate new Northeast Corridor service. Check train schedules for the new times.

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