Republican Government at Work: Slash-and-Slash More Christie in N.J.

[marmar]

from Grist:




Just seven months ago, newly elected New Jersey governor Gov. Chris Christie (R) slashed his state's transit budget. In so doing, he hiked fares by 22 percent and cut service at a time when the system was carrying record numbers of riders. The move made transit advocates wonder whether the new administration has a clue about the importance of public transportation to the state's economy.

Now they have more reason to be nervous.

Over the weekend, New Jersey Transit officials unexpectedly announced a temporary halt to the $8.7 billion project slated to build two new tunnels under the Hudson River. The proposed tunnels, from North Bergen, N.J., to New York's Penn Station, would double commuter rail capacity. The 30-day moratorium will be used to review costs, the agency's executive director said, but some fear it will lead to further delays, possibly jeopardizing the future of the project.

Known as ARC (for Accessing the Region's Core), the tunnel construction is one of the most massive American public works expansions in generations. It addresses congestion and delays on a commuter rail system that has gone from serving 9 million passengers in 1980 to 45 million in 2009.

All those train people aren't taking transit just to reduce their carbon footprint (although they are doing that nicely). A lot of them are doing it because driving in New Jersey sucks. The state's congested, decaying roads have been ranked the worst in the nation, and the bridges and tunnels going in to New York are hopelessly clogged. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.grist.org/article/2010-09-15-new-jersey-officials-call-temporary-halt-to-new-work-on-vital-ra/

[rfranklin]

1. Christie is another Republican asshole...

and makes me embarassed for my state of New Jersey.

He has called public school teachers "drug dealers." He refuses to raise taxes on the uber wealthy who infest the state.

This is just one more example of what an asshole he is.

[Bitwit1234]

2. Isn't it obvious...when ever a republican gets in charge

they show they don't know a damn thing about governing. All they know is giving tax breaks to the rich..and isn't that the first thing he did. Guess his family and we all know who they are, made that one of the provisions of getting him enough votes to win.