False optimism

The Asbury Park Press continues to view the MOM Line through the prism of its own NIMBY-ism. In an editorial today, it attempts to paint a new — and as-yet-unreleased — study by Monmouth County of ridership projections as the final bit of evidence that will turn a losing case into a slam-dunk.

The editorial ignores the existing ridership figures, which show that the Monmouth Junction alternative is more expensive and calls for a longer commute than the others, are unlikely to be affected by the Trans-Hudson-Express Tunnel. All three routes would run to Newark, under the existing figures, and all three would now run through the tunnel into New York. To assume that the tunnel would have a greater impact on one alternative than the others fails the basic test of logic.

South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press
The Blog of South Brunswick

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet