In 2004, NJ TRANSIT launched a new era in public transportation in South Jersey with the opening of the River LINE light rail system. The new line returned mass transit to the Delaware Valley region after a 60-year absence.  The 34-mile Camden-to-Trenton line connects communities along the Delaware riverfront in Mercer, Burlington and Camden counties. 

Already, the light rail system is proving its value.  Ridership is averaging more than 7,000 passenger trips per weekday a year after its opening – outpacing NJ TRANSIT’s own projections.

“People are discovering that the River LINE is an attractive alternative to driving, and we continue to look for ways to enhance the service to meet the needs of our customers,” said Joe North, NJ TRANSIT General Manager of Light Rail Operations.  “Our ridership continues to grow as people recognize the benefit of using public transportation when a good system is available to them.  Another benefit of having this light rail system in the region is it opens the doors for economic renewal.”

 The new line returned mass transit to the
Delaware Valley region after a 60-year absence.

Delaware Valley community and business leaders have sought to capitalize on the River LINE’s draw.  Burlington County officials have re-branded the Route 130 corridor between Florence and Willingboro as the “Burlington County River Route.”  Homebuyers are looking at the corridor to purchase homes.  Merchants are taking advantage of their proximity to the line, and once dilapidated factory structures are finding new life as office buildings and modern lofts.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again, the ultimate value of the River LINE will not be measured with ridership reports, but in economic growth and development in the communities along this corridor,” said George D. Warrington, NJ TRANSIT Executive Director. “It’s becoming increasingly evident that this line is, in fact, becoming a catalyst for economic growth and development.”

Understanding the value a good public transportation system can bring to communities, NJ TRANSIT has partnered with the 13 municipalities along the River LINE to assist them in creating visionary development plans to further revitalization efforts.  The relationship gives business leaders, developers and elected officials the opportunity to discuss how they can use public transportation as a centerpiece to their development plans.

“We know there is a link between land use, transit and the economy.  And while there is a traditional role for NJ TRANSIT – running trains, buses and light rail – there are times when we are obligated to step outside of that traditional role.  In this case, it was important for NJ TRANSIT to take a proactive step beyond our role as a transit operator to assist these communities to realize the full economic potential that awaits them,” Mr. Warrington said.

Before the River LINE carried its first passenger between Camden and Trenton, community and business leaders discovered its potential to attract commercial and residential developments that are now springing up along the tracks.  In Burlington County, projects linked to the River LINE are either under way or in the proposed in several communities including Beverly, Burlington City, Cinnaminson, Delanco and Riverside. 

In Riverside, a town where plans to redevelop 32-acres of an old industrial area dubbed the “Golden Triangle” sat on the drawing board for years, developers are showing interest.  Kaplan Cos. has an option to purchase the seven-story Keystone Watch Case Company building.  Not surprisingly, the 97-year-old building is next to the River LINE station.

In Cinnaminson, Kaplan Cos. is building Villages at Cinnaminson Harbour, which will have

The River LINE brings hundreds of visitors to Burlington’s shops and restaurants.

911 residential units and 97,000 square feet of commercial space on Broad Street near the River LINE Cinnaminson Station.  While the property was purchased in 2002 – before light rail service began – the developer redesigned the entrance to provide easier access to the station.

Since the opening of the River LINE station in Delanco, a major moving and storage company has expressed interest in relocating to the community, and J.S. Hovnanian & Sons has proposed a 92-unit town home development. 

In Burlington City, officials continue to look at ways of using its two light rail stations as a selling point to attract visitors to the downtown business district.  Already, six businesses have opened in the past year, and plans are underway for three more.  Mayor Darlene Scocca has referred to the influx of these new merchants as “part of the renaissance that rail traffic has brought.”

In Beverly, a community less than one square mile in size, expanding its waterfront is quickly becoming a reality.  A major community landowner has expressed interest in building townhouses and condominiums along the Delaware River.  Local officials have also expressed interest in becoming a Transit Village, raising hopes that River LINE riders will see the historic community as a destination point.  

In Camden and Trenton, the River LINE further enhances the already rich transportation offerings, connecting residents to Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York City.  Both cities are undergoing their own economic revitalization, focusing on their abilities to be destinations for entertainment and historical activities.

In Burlington City, officials continue to look for new ways
of using its two light rail stations as a selling point
to attract visitors to the downtown business district.

“Good transportation allows for growth,” said the Rev. Tony Evans, spokesman and executive assistant to Camden Mayor Gwen Faison.  “It opens opportunities that might not have been there for some residents.  The River LINE gets them to jobs in communities outside of Camden at a very reasonable cost, and it brings people to Camden to the various attractions.  Economic growth began before the light rail service was launched, but we view the River LINE as a positive addition to Camden to enhance what we’ve started.” 

“Trenton is beginning to see the ways the River Line can improve the quality of life for its residents,” said Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer.  “The city envisions an even greater, positive ripple effect as retail and commercial development ventures take shape at and around its stops on the line. 

“We have been very impressed with the early success of the River Line,” Mayor Palmer said.  “By offering commuters and tourists a convenient, hassle-free alternative to getting into and around the capital city, we are introducing more people to our multi-purpose Arena, restaurants, and the many other popular destinations in this historic, river city.”

To spur ridership growth, NJ TRANSIT has made a number of enhancements to the system to make it more convenient and desirable to commuters.

“Early Bird” service is now provided for commuters connecting to other transportation services in Trenton and Camden. Another popular change has been the introduction of 15-minute departures for the morning and evening peak periods.  And extending the evening peak period to 8 p.m allows customers to make light rail connections from Northeast Corridor trains at Trenton.

NJ TRANSIT enhanced its Capital Connection service to include new peak-period shuttles between the River LINE station, downtown Trenton and the State House.  Capital Connection schedules were retimed to depart Trenton Station four minutes after the arrival of River LINE trains in the morning, and to arrive four minutes prior to the departure of River LINE trains in the afternoon.

Another popular innovation allows customers holding weekly or monthly rail passes (or monthly bus passes) to ride the River LINE at no additional charge, simply by displaying their pass.