The purpose of the working group is to develop and advance plans for converting the region’s commuter rail lines into a regional rail system, with fast, frequent service and affordable, integrated fares. The Penn Station Metro-Hub plan sets the stage for doing this. Subsequent steps are access to Lower Manhattan and the Penn Station-Grand Central link. The group also considers changes to rapid transit and light rail transit that are "regional" in scale.

Agenda for this meeting

The key discussion will focus on organizing RRWG’s response to NJ Transit Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) on the Hudson River tunnel project. NJ Transit’s revision calls for complete separation of transit operations between the two states. NJ Transit proposes to bring its new tunnels into a new dead-end station 175 feet below 34th Street, and 460 feet north of the centerline of the existing Penn Station. Transferring between the two stations will be painful. So much for interstate cooperation!

The challenge for the RRWG is to make elected officials and the general public aware of the incredible failure of the Governors of the two states to agree on a rail tunnel plan that facilitates interstate travel.

NJ Transit is moving this on a fast track, even though less than half of the funding is in place.

Hearings on the SDEIS for this are planned on Monday, March 31, 2008 at NJTPA and Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at NYMTC

Comments must be submitted to NJ Transit by April 28, 2008. For more info go to www.accesstotheregionscore.com.

Progress reports on key RRWG initiatives will be reviewed:

• Through-running at Penn Station
• Upper Level Loop Alternative for LIRR East Side Access
• Penn Station-Grand Central Connection
• Rockaway Cut-off — one-seat ride Midtown Manhattan-JFK Airport
• Lower Manhattan Access
• Light Rail in the Lincoln Tunnel
• Regional Rail Freight plan
• Intercity rail passenger issues