GOVERNOR WHITMAN OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES NEW JERSEY'S FIRST MODERN LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM

April 15, 2000  -- With the booming sound of confetti cannons and the snip of a ribbon, Governor Christine Todd Whitman today emphasized her commitment to improve mass transit in New Jersey by officially launching NJ TRANSIT's new Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system in Jersey City. The project is a major component of the Governor's Transportation Vision for the 21^st Century providing increased mobility, new job opportunities and economic growth in the most densely populated region in New Jersey.

"The Hudson Bergen Light Rail Line will make train travel an affordable, attractive, environmentally friendly option here in one of the busiest transportation corridors in the world," said Governor Whitman. "It will mean that commuters in this densely populated and vibrant part of our state will have a real choice about how they want to get to work, home, or recreation. Best of all, it will mean an economic boom in this area. In fact, this project has already created thousands of new jobs along the Hudson River waterfront -- parts of which haven't seen development before."

"Hudson-Bergen Light Rail -- the first 'new start' rail system in New Jersey in more than 50 years -- is quickly becoming a model for the rest of the nation. The unique design, build, operate and maintain (DBOM) procurement process for this project has helped us accelerate construction, save significant construction costs and deliver a world-class transportation system that will benefit the region for years to come," said New Jersey Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Weinstein.

"The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system has already transformed the landscape of Hudson County, stimulating new economic development, creating thousands of and leading to the rebirth of residential neighborhoods along the alignment," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Jeffrey A. Warsh. "Personally, this opening day celebration brings me great satisfaction after working on this project for nearly 10 years as a former state legislator and member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, a citizen advocate, a consultant and now as Executive Director of NJ TRANSIT."

Today's festivities also included celebrations at many of the stations along the Light Rail line including live radio broadcasts, high school bands, musical and dance entertainment, rides, games, face painting, food and craft vendors, raffles and other community-based activities.

21^st Century Rail Corporation -- a consortium of companies led by Raytheon Infrastructures -- was awarded the DBOM contract for Hudson Bergen Light Rail in 1996. In addition to designing and building the system, 21^st Century will operate and maintain the system for a 15-year period.

The first segment of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, opened today by the Governor, spans 7.5 miles and serves 12 stations: E. 34^th Street and E. 45^th Street in Bayonne; and Danforth Avenue, Richard Street, Liberty State Park, Jersey Avenue, Marin Boulevard, Essex Street, West Side Avenue, Martin Luther King Drive, Garfield Avenue and Exchange Place in Jersey City.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service will initially be operated with 29 low-floor light rail vehicles making them accessible to people with disabilities and convenient for stroller and handcart uses. Each vehicle spans 90 feet and is equipped with four double doors on each side, 68 seats, two wheelchair securements and accommodations for another 122 standees. The vehicle exterior is white and black with the NJ TRANSIT logo. The primary interior color is blue. The $3.1 million vehicles will provide a smooth ride for Hudson-Bergen Light Rail passengers and offer them substantial leg room, modern air conditioning and heating systems, and automated station announcements.

Fares for the first phase of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail are: $53 for a monthly pass (30 percent discount); $13 for 10-trip tickets; and $1.50 for one-way tickets. NJ TRANSIT will utilize the Proof of Payment (POP) fare collection system on Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, a popular method used by nearly a dozen other light rail systems across the United States and is currently in use on NJ TRANSIT's Newark City Subway system. The POP system allows riders to quickly and easily board the cars and eliminates waiting lines and Light Rail car dwell times at stations.

NJ TRANSIT's POP system employs both TVMs and ticket validators. Customers will purchase their tickets at TVMs on station platforms prior to boarding a light rail vehicle. One-way and 10-trip tickets must be dated and time-stamped in the validator machine near the TVMs prior to boarding Light Rail cars. The tickets are valid for up to 90 minutes after validation, giving riders flexible travel options for trips to local restaurants, shopping centers or other businesses along the Light Rail route.

Tickets to ride Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will not be collected on the light-rail cars. However, fare inspectors will randomly board trains and check to see if passengers are carrying valid tickets. In most instances, warnings will initially be given to passengers found without a ticket. Fare evaders can be issued a summons with a maximum fine of $100. Repeat offenders may be subject to criminal theft of services charges.

Today's opening segment is part of a 9.5-mile Initial Operating Segment (IOS) of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail that will eventually span as far north Hoboken Terminal. The $1.13 billion IOS pricetag includes property acquisition, design, construction and the operations and maintenance of the system for a 15-year period by 21^st Century Rail Corporation. The next phase of the project -- between Exchange Place and Newport -- is scheduled to open in early-2001. Phase three, between Newport and Hoboken Terminal, is scheduled to open early-2002.

NJ TRANSIT expects to begin construction soon on the next segment of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, which will operate between Hoboken Terminal and Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen. The system is designed to eventually span more than 20 miles between Bayonne and Ridgefield.