MOM rail survey
needs explanation
A recent survey regarding the proposed Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex passenger rail line leaves more questions than it answers.
According to the survey by McLaughlin and Associates of Alexandria, Va., 65 percent of the 400 adults contacted on June 19 were not even aware of the proposed project. This is not only a defeat for proponents of the plan, but it also means that opponents are not doing a good job of getting the word out as well.
There are other interesting pieces of information in the survey. According to the survey, 48 percent of the people contacted live in Ocean County. Yet, the description of the survey said that "at least 133 residents from each county" were contacted.
Another interesting fact, according to the survey, is that only 16 percent of those questioned said they would use the line regularly. The region is also split at 46 percent saying that mass transit is a viable solution to the traffic mess, and another 46 percent claiming it is not.
These are mixed signals for most of us reading the survey.
The firm suggests that more education on the proposed $400 million plan should be made available to the public. We think that is a good idea.
The project is currently being studied as part of an Draft Environmental Impact Study and will be discussed in great detail about six months or so from now. This will be a great opportunity for all who are interested in seeing how this proposal will either work for the good of the region or whether officials should look for a different route.
There are good arguments for the MOM rail line as well as some valid criticism of the plan. While we continue to support the MOM route, this debate is needed and the education that the major study will provide will be invaluable in determining the true worth of the plan. For now, however, we would like to hear from those at the firm that put this survey together. We want to know more about how it was carried out, and how the numbers were crunched.
The survey, as it stands, leaves us with more questions than it answered. That is not in the best interest of an honest debate about the proposed MOM passenger rail line.