One Step Closer To Direct Trains From Cranford, Westfield To NYC

CRANFORD, NJ — Residents of Cranford, Westfield, and other Union County towns would like full-time direct NJ Transit trains to Manhattan. Now, they may get their wish.

On Jan. 13, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill to study restoring the Raritan Valley line direct to Manhattan full-time, so that riders won't have to change trains in Newark. The study is to be completed by July.

The line does have direct off-peak service to New York Penn Station, but riders and officials in the affected towns would like nonstop service during peak commuting times as well.

Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, and many other elected officials have championed the full-time "one-seat" ride, as have members of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition.

The Coalition posted on Facebook, "Governor Phil Murphy today signed the bill championed by the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition, which requires New Jersey Transit to begin a feasibility study on implementing a full-time one-seat ride to New York. It's a start, and we won't give up. Special thanks to Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari, Sen. Tom Kean, Sen. Joe Cryan, Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter, Assemblyman James Kennedy, and Assemblyman Roy Frieman for sponsoring the measure."

Residents responded to the post by urging that the line be added quickly, saying the existing commuter routes were already packed. And one commenter, Bob Drummer, wrote, "The study will probably recommend doing a study."

Have a news tip in Westfield or Cranford? Email caren.lissner@patch.com.