At a Tri-State Campaign press conference July 2nd, Congressman Donald Payne announced $2.5 million for jitney-rail feeder programs and bike and pedestrian access improvements to rail stations in urban municipalities like Newark and East Orange along NJ Transit's Morris & Essex lines. The money was secured through the recent federal TEA-21 authorization.

Affirming longstanding Campaign contentions, Congressman Payne said, "Better access to our region's rail stations will undoubtedly result in an increase in the demand for rail.... An integrated system of jitney-to-rail services throughout the Oranges and Newark will provide significant benefits to residents and businesses in these municipalities."

East Orange Mayor Robert Bowser stated that expanded jitney services will serve as a catalyst "in the rebirth of this city."

However, most urban rail stations along the Morris & Essex line do not yet receive full Midtown Direct service, and for urban revitalization efforts to succeed, equal access for New Jersey's urban residents to NYC and suburban job markets must be also achieved.

In March, Congressman Payne's office reached out to the Campaign to help define how the TEA-21 earmark should be spent. Innovative rail feeder programs, like those funded by NJ Transit's "Community Rail Shuttle Challenge Grant" (MTR #155), are being demanded by cities and towns throughout the region because they provide an affordable and environmentally sound solution to air pollution, pedestrian safety and traffic and parking problems.