About

The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (RVRC) is the advocate for the Raritan Valley Line commuters. The RVRC was created in 1998 as a non-profit, bipartisan group to advocate for a one seat ride on the Raritan Valley Line into Penn Station New York. Since then, the organization is also dedicated to service improvement to the rail line and to its stations. The primary mission remains to achieve a one seat ride in all time slots.

Why is the one seat ride so important?

  • A one seat ride will decrease travel time and increase property values. When the Morris and Essex line got the one site ride in 1996, the property values along the line rose significantly.
  • Having a one seat ride for our commuters reduces travel time. and the stress of switching trains at Newark Penn Station.
  • A one seat ride will eliminate the stress of switching trains at Newark Penn. During peak commuting hours, Raritan Valley Line commuters destined for Midtown Manhattan must exit their diesel powered train at Newark Penn Station because diesel-powered trains are not allowed in the Hudson River tunnels. In Newark Pen Station, commuters must change to another train often on a separate platform. This means a rush downstairs to the station level and a climb upstairs to another platform and to their connecting train.
  • A closer parity to other rail line with Manhattan connectivity would be two peak hour one seat rides in the morning as well as two one seat ride trains in the evening.

Significant Milestones

  • In 1998, the late Congressman Robert Franks fostered the establishment of the RVRC.
  • RVRC supported the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) project for the construction of two new rail tunnels under the Hudson River. It advocated for the project until its cancellation in 2010.
  • NJ TRANSIT placed dual-powered locomotives on the Raritan Valley Line and the first off peak, weekday one seat trains starting running.
  • The RVRC will continue to engage NJ TRANSIT management and advocate the deployment of dual-powered locomotives to achieve this level of one seat ride service on the Raritan Valley Line.