Bernardsville, New Jersey, Planning Transit Improvements and Economic Growth Initiatives
Bernardsville Becomes New Jersey's 37th Transit Village
Bernardsville, a town in Somerset County, New Jersey, has been designated as a Transit Village, making it the state's 37th municipality to receive this status. This designation signifies a commitment to promoting economic growth and increasing transit access and utilization around public transportation.
To become a Transit Village, municipalities must create redevelopment plans that focus on fostering mixed-use development, pedestrian-friendly environments, and increased transit use near transit hubs such as train stations. In the case of Bernardsville, the NJ Transit Gladstone Branch Train Station serves as the focal point of the town's objective.
The benefits of becoming a designated Transit Village are numerous. Bernardsville will now have access to a task force of nine state agencies, including the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and NJ TRANSIT. These agencies can provide funding, technical assistance, and coordination support for mixed-use and transit-oriented development projects.
The designation process involves an application reviewed by the Transit Village Task Force, which then recommends approval to the NJDOT commissioner, who has final authority on designations.
With the Transit Village designation, Bernardsville seeks to promote growth and increase transit access and utilization. The town is already taking steps to promote mixed-used development and businesses in its downtown near the historic train station. Lakeland Bus Lines provides daily commuter service from Bernardsville to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, and the rail line provides service to Newark Penn Station and transfer service to New York Penn Station.
The Transit Village Initiative, started in 1999, connects designated municipalities with a task force of nine state agencies. This initiative aims to support equitable growth, housing affordability, and underused land redevelopment as part of transit-oriented development strategies. It also assists in implementing Complete Streets accommodations that protect bicyclists and pedestrians, contributing to safer, walkable communities.
In addition, the designation promotes a vibrant downtown or neighborhood center that can enhance local economic activity and quality of life for residents. The Transit Village Initiative encourages these designated municipalities to create pedestrian-friendly environments that foster a sense of community and promote local businesses.
In conclusion, the Transit Village designation offers numerous benefits to municipalities that prioritize redevelopment plans centered on transit-accessible economic activity. Bernardsville, with its historic train station and daily commuter service, is well-positioned to take advantage of these benefits and promote growth and increased transit utilization in the town.
[1] New Jersey Transit - Transit Village Initiative: https://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TransitVillage [2] NJ TRANSIT - Bernardsville Station: https://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=StationDetail&station_id=2001 [3] NJ TRANSIT - Lakeland Bus Lines: https://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusServiceDetail&route_id=317 [4] New Jersey Department of Community Affairs - Transit Villages: https://nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/transitvillages/index.html [5] New Jersey Department of Transportation - Transit Village Initiative: https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/transitvillage/index.shtml
- To further improve transportation and business opportunities in Bernardsville, Lakeland Bus Lines provides daily commuter service from the town to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
- As a Transit Village, Bernardsville will work closely with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and NJ TRANSIT, following the Transit Village Initiative's aims of supporting equitable growth, housing affordability, and underused land redevelopment.
- With access to the rail line passing through the NJ Transit Gladstone Branch Train Station, Bernardsville residents can travel to Newark Penn Station and transfer to New York Penn Station, opening up various transportation options within the broader industry.
