New Jersey governor launches rail service to the Meadowlands

Written by Administrator

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine inaugurated new rail service to the Meadowlands Sports Complex, launching an era of travel convenience for the millions of New Jersey residents and visitors who attend year-round events at the Meadowlands. Dozens of officials and guests, including players from the New York Jets and New York Giants, joined the Governor for the train ride, which originated in Hoboken and finished with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Meadowlands Station. 

NJ TRANSIT rail service, with its ability to move thousands of people in a safe and efficient manner, is a natural fit for one of New Jersey’s premiere spectator sport and concert locations,” Governor Corzine said. “This line will play an increasingly important role in the development of green transportation practices by helping fans avoid traffic congestion, resulting in fewer cars on our roadways and reduced emissions.”

The new line gives customers statewide rail access to the Meadowlands from 11 of 12 NJ TRANSIT rail lines. Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction, the new line’s only stop between Hoboken and the Meadowlands, provides the connection.

Train service will operate frequently, approximately every 10-20 minutes between Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction and Meadowlands Station, both before and after major events expected to draw 50,000 or more spectators. These events include all Jets and Giants pre-season and regular season home games, major concerts at Giants Stadium, and Gold Cup soccer. NJ TRANSIT will be able to accommodate about 10,000 customers traveling to and from an event on the new rail line.

The line and station are the centerpieces of a $213-million Meadowlands Railroad and Roadway Improvement Project funded by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, NJ TRANSIT and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

The new line consists of two new tracks, each about 2.5 miles long. Each set of tracks connects to NJ TRANSIT’s Pascack Valley Line near the Meadowlands. Service will begin about 3.5 hours before a game or event and continue for about two hours after the conclusion of the event.

Starting in September, Connecticut residents will access the new line under a pilot program with Metro-North Railroad. As previously announced, Metro-North crews will operate NJ TRANSIT equipment into New York Penn Station for service to and from 1 p.m. home football games. From New York, NJ TRANSIT crews will operate the trains via Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction, where football fans will transfer to the Meadowlands trains.

The new rail line will serve customers for the first time on Sunday, July 26, when Giants Stadium hosts the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Gold Cup Final championship soccer match.

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