Heights Rail Riders Still 'Fenced Out' of Train Stop

Hasbrouck Heights rail commuters, whose access to the Teterboro-Williams stop was cut off by NJ Transit, are still without a solution, despite the borough's efforts to lobby the transportation agency.  

Last month, the borough brought in NJ Transit representative John Leon to hear customers' woes about the stop being fenced in — a move Heights commuters argue has caused a more dangerous situation. NJ Transit has said the stop was fenced in, blocking access on the Heights side, to promote pedestrian safety. 

Residents said the fence forces them to walk over the Route 46 ramp in order to access the stop by foot. 

Many said access to the rail is one of the main reasons for moving to Hasbrouck Heights and now it's been taken away.

Mayor Rose Heck said she has since personally addressed the NJ Transit board on behalf of the local commuters asking them to take "positive action" to help Heights residents. Heck said she also spoke to Leon about trying to get this resolved in a timely manner.

Lino Brescia was among the first of the commuters to speak out on the issue. He started a petition online which has already receivd 95 signatures. Click here to access the petition.

The idea behind the fencing was to promote pedestrian safety but commuters have argued that other measures could have been taken, including putting up a pedestrian walkway.

State Assemblyman Timothy Eustace (Distrct 38) has stepped in to help the borough and has been reaching out to transit officials regarding the matter.

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