Rapid Transit Loop Expensive But Officials Say It’s Needed

Teaneck - It looks expensive, but we really need it. This was just about the sentiment of 100 County leaders and other interested persons as they listened intently at the Town House to an outline of the proposed rapid transit loop to New York City last night.

TWO NEW TUNNELS

The $400-million project calls for the digging of two new tunnels under the Hudson River linking existing New Jersey commuter railroad lines with the New York City subway system; the improvement of riding comfort for the estimated 85 million persons using rail service to New York each year; and the modernization of stations along the route with ample parking areas of prime importance.

The plan, set up by Arthur W. Page, project director for the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Commission, was reviewed by Frank J. Simon, executive director of the commission. Page’s report claims that railroad owners have little incentive to improve their service because they suffer nearly $13 million in out-of-pocket losses each year on commuter traffic. Not one of the railroads earns as much as 4 per cent on its properties, according to Page’s report.

If the rapid transit loop is approved by the public and government leaders of both New York and New Jersey, it’s expected to save commuters an average of a half-hour daily in travel time to and from work in Manhattan.

Page recommends the creation of a bi-state public agency with wide powers to retain and improve mass transportation service between the City and surrounding areas. The new agency would be able to negotiate with the federal government for capital grants and loans; to acquire or lease the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad; to obtain rights to render suburban service on privately owned railroads in the metropolitan area; to fix standards; and to negotiate with the New York City Transit Authority for use of tracks, equipment, stations, and other facilities.

The key to the improvement of present suburban transportation across the Hudson River is the construction of the Bi-State Rapid Transit Loop from Manhattan to New Jersey, doing away with ferries and affording quick and convenient access to all parts of the City.

Several trunk lines handling large volumes of commuters, serve as the nucleus of the suburban rail system. Local railroads involved in this system are the Susquehanna, West Shore, Lackawanna, and Erie.

Page suggests suspending the Susquehanna Railroad and providing alternate rail or bus service for the 2,000 daily commuters in the West Bergen area because that line may be capable of supporting passenger service only during the commuter periods.

Frank Tilley, chairman of the Wyckoff Transportation Committee, and first vice-president of the Susquehanna Commuters Association, said suspension of the line would leave west Bergenites in quite a fix because there is no other means of transportation to New York City.

Bergen County would be one of 10 North Jersey counties to benefit from the project, and would, of course, have to contribute its share towards the elimination of the $12 million expected deficit.

Page says Bergen's share of deficit allocations is $1.84 million while Essex County would pay $1.63 million and Hudson County, $1.56 million.

The 10 New Jersey counties involved would have to pay $8.13 million of the $12 million deficit while New York City would pay $3.87 million.

Mayor Frank Feller of Bogota asked Simon why Bergen residents would be charged more per person than any other Jersey resident. Simon explained that Bergen County would benefit most from the project because the majority of the commuters to New York come from this county.

Formal hearings on the project will begin June 18 at the Public Service Auditorium in Newark and continue through the early fall. The Commission will present its plan to the Legislatures of both States late this year or in January 1958.