The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded 19 projects, totaling approximately $13.1 million under its Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development. These grant funds support local strategies to increase transit access and encourage ridership through mixed-use and mixed-income development near public transportation projects. The program helps communities plan for opportunities created by new transit stations, such as affordable housing, economic development and better connections to schools, hospitals, stores and restaurants.
Congratulations to New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) for winning a $592,000 dollar grant under this program. NJ Transit will receive funding to plan for Transit-Oriented Development along the proposed nine-mile Northern Branch light-rail extension in Bergen and Hudson Counties in northern New Jersey. The planned transit-oriented development will support public and private partnerships, enhance multi-modal transit access, encourage economic development and preserve affordable housing.
NJ Transit is the nation's third largest operator with an active fleet of 2,221 buses, 1,231 trains and 93 light rail vehicles. Service is provided on 253 bus routes and 12 rail lines statewide. NJ Transit provides nearly 270 million passenger trips each year.
Congratulations to Suffolk County, New York Department of Public Works Transportation Division for winning a $400,000 dollar grant under this program. Suffolk County will receive funding to plan for transit-oriented development for a planned bus rapid transit line to run along New York State Route 110, which travels north-south in western Suffolk County. The transit-oriented development plan will enhance economic development, support enhanced transit ridership, facilitate multi modal connectivity, increase access to transit hubs and create mixed-use development.
Suffolk County Transit has a fleet of 157 buses, operating on 42 routes.
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Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for billions in capital projects and programs for the MTA, NYC Transit, Long Island Rail Road, Metro North Rail Road MTA Bus, New Jersey Transit along with 30 other transit agencies in NY & NJ.
