Hammonton, Mullica, EHC resolutions won't sway NJ Transit

From The Press of Atlantic City, May 12, 2010-Michelle Lee, Staff Writer

The 4610 train between Atlantic City and Philadelphia may have left the station permanently earlier this year due to budget cuts, but officials in Hammonton, Mullica and Egg Harbor City are still petitioning to bring back the popular morning train.

Hammonton's Town Council passed a resolution last month requesting NJ Transit to reinstate the commuter train or bring back another train with a similar timetable. Town officials also asked NJ Transit to hold hearings for public input before any future cancellations or changes, and to give sufficient notice.

Mullica Township officials passed their resolution in January, Mayor Michael St. Amour said. Egg Harbor City officials approved a similar resolution, City Administrator Tom Henshaw said.

The 4610 train used to arrive in Philadelphia at 7:24 a.m. Former riders such as Tom Carl, a Mullica resident, said it was very convenient for many people who had to be in the city by 8 a.m. for work or school.

The train was cut Jan. 15, and Carl, a SEPTA senior project manager, said his travel options now include driving 30 miles to take a PATCO train or catching the earlier train, which arrives in Philadelphia at 6:25 a.m. Carl said the change inconvenienced many people, and he questioned why other trains at less popular travel times were not cut instead.

"I'm in the business. You always try to balance your passenger needs and commute," Carl said. "They totally abandoned it - they have trains going to Atlantic City but forgot the reverse commute."

Hammonton Councilman Tom Gribbin, an attorney who works in Philadelphia, said he has adjusted to taking the later train but heis disappointed that he does not see many of his former fellow commuters.

"What I can't understand, from my estimate, it was a very popular morning rush-hour train, and we were never given any reason why it was cut from time of service," Gribbin said.

NJ Transit spokeswoman Penny Bassett Hackett said they are aware of the municipal resolutions but the train, which served about 300 customers, cannot be reinstated due to budget constraints and efforts to close a $300 million gap.

Bassett Hackett said transit officials took "a lot of considerations" when looking at trains across the state that could be cuts for savings, and they knew there were other bus and train options for commuters. She said NJ Transit has the authority to adjust service several times per year and it does not require public hearings.

New Jersey residents will have to brace for additional train schedule changes May 23.

NJ Transit posted additional cancellations on its website, which will affect the 4600 weekday train departing Atlantic City at 12:46 a.m., the 4609 train departing Philadelphia at 4:24 a.m., and three weekend trains that depart from Philadelphia at 1:50 a.m. and 7:54 a.m. and another train that departs Atlantic City at 5:45 a.m. The changes are expected to effect 100 customers on weekdays and 425 customers on weekends.