Smaller than the Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor Line, the NJ Transit River Line is a light rail system that runs from Trenton Transit Center to the Camden Entertainment Center. Its 34-mile journey takes about an hour and seven minutes.
Dr. Michael Lahr, a professor emeritus at Rutgers who used to commute daily on the River Line, praised its convenience due to its frequent service and cost-effectiveness. According to Lahr, “You don’t need the densities that you need on a heavy rail line like the Northeast Corridor.” He added that the line is a “much more efficient system,” indicating that highways are more costly due to factors like accidents and pollution.
Mulumba also emphasized that the choice to use light rail was informed by studies that examined ridership, operational efficiency, and cost-efficiency. Lahr cited traffic avoidance as a significant reason for using the River Line instead of driving.
A Rutgers study highlighted property values in the area, noting that prices decreased with the line's announcement but increased once it became operational. The impact varied, as properties within a mile of stations, often in low-income census tracts, saw significant value increases. However, wealthier areas experienced declines in property value, less pronounced at stations with surface parking lots, as residents preferred driving.
Stephanie DiPetrillo, one of the study's authors, suggested that although a massive economic effect is unlikely due to the line connecting economically weak markets, development around transit stations in Trenton and Camden could enhance its impact. She noted resistance to development in some communities along the line, stating, “They’re not interested in people that they don’t think are already part of their communities being there.”
While some residents viewed the line as a bringer of crime, others found it beneficial for reducing driving, highlighting mixed opinions even within similar demographic groups.
