FREEHOLD — Greater Media Newspapers readers in Monmouth and Middlesex counties support the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex commuter rail line by a 3-to-1 margin, according to the company’s first online poll.
Almost 400 readers logging on to the Greater Media Newspapers Internet site at www.gmnews.com chose to support NJ Transit’s plan to use an existing freight line to connect commuters in Ocean County and Western Monmouth County with the Amtrak Northeast Corridor line in South Brunswick.
The voluntary online poll, which was open only to readers on the Internet, asked if they supported NJ Transit’s plan to build the commuter line between Lakehurst and the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick.
"This is a no-brainer," one reader commented in support of the line, explaining that the Northeast Corridor line would get people to more than just work. They could "take the train to work, jury duty, to a show in New Brunswick, Newark or New York City," the reader wrote.
About 74 percent of the readers voting in the poll said they support the line, while 26 percent opposed it.
"We need the train desperately to alleviate the growing traffic problem in Freehold as it becomes more densely populated," another reader commented.
The Internet site was launched in April, giving online access to the company’s seven weekly newspapers, which cover 37 towns in Monmouth and Middlesex counties with a total distribution of about 174,000 papers.
The Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex rail plan, estimated to cost $400 million, is supported by politicians in Ocean and Monmouth counties but opposed by Middlesex County and by the three towns there that the line would pass through — Monroe Township, South Brunswick and Jamesburg.
Readers also expressed views opposed to the line.
"It is a waste of our tax money," one reader commented. "Better roads would fix the problem."
Another wrote that those who want the line should move closer to where they work. "People should move closer to New York if they want to work in the city," the reader commented.
Other readers expressing their opinions said they would wait to see whether a scheduled study on the line supported the proposed route.
"This line is being studied. If it passes all tests, it should be funded," a reader commented.
A formal study is currently under way to look at the proposal and alternative routes.
One of those routes would connect the line in Freehold with Red Bank and the North Jersey Coast Line.
"I would like to see a cost comparison between the proposed routes," one reader stated.

