Use of public transit systems has increased 30% over the past 20 years and users expect safe, reliable, comfortable and affordable service. Mass transit users in the NJ/NYC metro area can attest to the inconsistency and rising costs of our region’s current transit system and many are aware of how these issues will increase as our region’s economy continues to grow.  Consistency, safety, affordability and sustainability will be key factors that could impact future growth of our region.
 
Ahead of our annual Transportation Symposium, where transportation sustainability will be the key topic, we encourage you to read this brief Q&A with Dewberry’s Vice President and Director of Rail and Transit, Steven Santoro. Mr. Santoro highlights the challenges common among many of our nation’s transit systems and notes areas that transit agencies should focus on as they prepare for the future.

A major collective impact initiative by many institutions in Newark, Hire.Buy.Live.Newark was created to dramatically reduce poverty and unemployment and strengthen the city's economy by 2020. Organizations and individuals across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in Newark participating in the initiative committed to employing more Newarkers and increasing procurement of goods and services from Newark-based businesses.

Rutgers University Newark and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Services joined this effort in 2017. Read more about their collective efforts and learn about examples of their work towards this goal.

"NRBP opposes pending state legislation (S2892/A4392) that would increase aviation fuel taxes at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and divert proceeds to non-airport projects in a way that is inconsistent with federal law. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has taken note of the proposal in this blog post." – Chip Hallock. President & CEO, NRBP.

The New Jersey legislature is currently considering a bill that would increase the state’s jet fuel tax to pay for an extension of the PATH railway from Newark Penn Station to the Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Link Station and beyond.