CoreNet Global New York City and New Jersey Chapters (CoreNet NYC and NJ) have released results from the public policy community survey, in relation to the Gateway Project, which highlights the importance of accessibility and connectivity for commuters traveling between New York and New Jersey. In partnership with the Gateway Program Development Corporation (GDC), the survey polled CoreNet NYC and NJ’s extensive built environment professional network. The study’s results overwhelmingly indicate a need for significant investment in commuter rail.
According to data, streamlined travel between New York and New Jersey remains a top priority for commuters. Results show the reliance New York metro area companies have on commuters in both directions, as well as the economic benefit these commuters bring. In line with this, both New York and New Jersey-based companies find that more than 90 percent of their employees rely solely on public transit connections.
“We’re seeing that companies heavily rely on commuters, no matter where they are traveling from,” said Sheena Gohil, President, CoreNet Global NYC. “While the volume of commuters varies between New York and New Jersey, the importance of streamlined travel is crucial to the New York metro area’s economic health.”
The study finds that more than 89 percent of New York companies believe that access for employees commuting into New York from New Jersey is significant. Meanwhile, more than 68 percent of New Jersey-based companies also find that access for New York commuters traveling to New Jersey is significant.
The survey concluded that New Jersey Transit rail line and the PATH are the most widely used forms of transportation among commuters traveling into the New York metro area, showing the overwhelming reliance on rail for New York business. When asked about preferred modes of transportation, more than 75 percent of companies find that employees heavily rely on New Jersey Transit; 71 percent also heavily utilize the PATH. Ferries and cars, meanwhile, are the least utilized by commuters.
Despite the heavy reliance on rail travel, 73 percent of respondents believe that transit infrastructure is growing worse. This is in line with the increasing urbanization of both companies and employees in the New York metro area, which has not been matched by a corresponding investment in infrastructure. It is not surprising then that nearly 59 percent of built environment leaders surveyed believe the Gateway Project should begin immediately, while another 31 percent think the project should begin within the next three years.
The GDC, a partnership between New York, New Jersey and Amtrak with support from partner agencies, oversees a comprehensive rail investment program that would improve reliability, resiliency and redundancy while creating new capacity for a critical section of the Northeast Corridor, the most heavily used passenger rail line in the country.
About CoreNet Global New York City Chapter
CoreNet Global New York City Chapter’s mission is to advance innovation and professional development for the corporate real estate sector, to serve as a thought leader and forum for current industry issues and to be the voice of the commercial occupier in New York City. The organization’s more than 1000 members represent corporate end-users and service providers from New York’s largest private and publicly-held companies who are at the forefront of real estate planning, development and innovation, including Fortune 500 companies generating over $1 billion in annual revenue. For more information about the CoreNet Global New York City Chapter, visit http://corenetnyc.org.
