July 24, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pete Peterson (215) 893-4297 or Kim Maialetti (215) 893-4279

EASTON, PA - Officials from the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission today joined representatives from the City of Easton to celebrate the start of the River Connection Trolley, a free transportation service designed to help reduce congestion and promote tourism.

The trolley service provides riders a scenic trip along the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and over the Northampton Street Toll-Supported Bridge into Philipsburg, N.J. It also connects Easton PA's Centre Square and Phillipsburg, NJ's Union Square.

The service is funded by an $80,000 grant under the Commission's Compact Authorized Investment program, which is aimed at easing congestion and improving traffic conditions on and around Commission bridges.

"The River Connection Trolley represents an innovative approach to public transit services," said Frank G. McCartney, executive director of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. "By providing tourists and community members alike an alternative to driving, we reduce the number of cars on the road, ease congestion and improve traffic flow. This creates a better experience for everyone, from visitors to local merchants to area residents."

Trolley service begins at 10 a.m. with the last run occurring at 4 p.m. The trolley to Phillipsburg runs on the hour. A second run leaves on the half hour and takes passengers along the Lehigh River to Hugh Moore Park. All trolleys leave from Centre Square in Easton and run Monday through Friday through Aug. 31.

In addition to the River Connection Trolley service, the $80,000 grant also supports the Discover Easton Trolley service, which provides riders a narrated tour of the city's downtown, stopping at shops, restaurants and historic sites."

"We are extremely grateful to the Commission for its generous support of this important program," said Barbara Kowitz, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Easton. "The trolley service enables people to move about easily and encourages them to look at more sites, patronize our businesses and restaurants, and enjoy the surroundings."

The Commission through its Compact Authorized Investment program has also awarded the City of Easton $2.7 million for an intermodal center; $60,000 for a bicycle path over the Northampton Street Toll-Supported Bridge and $280,000 for a pedestrian path and intersection enhancements at Larry Holmes Drive and into the park system.

The Commission awarded the first round of grant funding under its $40 million Compact Authorized Investment Program in September 2005. To date, it has awarded more than $35 million to 30 New Jersey and Pennsylvania communities impacted by the Commission's bridges.

About the Commission

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, formed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and state of New Jersey in 1934, operates seven toll and 11 vehicular and two pedestrian toll-supported (free) bridges along the Delaware River from Trenton-Morrisville to the New York border. These bridges carry more than 135 million cars and trucks each year. For more information about the Commission and its various initiatives to deliver safer and more convenient bridge travel for its customers, please see: www.drjtbc.org.

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