Belmar Pushes for Train Station Access Upgrades

Platforms on the Belmar train station aren't easily accessible by wheelchair, local officials said, and the borough is urging NJ Transit to upgrade the station.

Belmar Council passed a resolution calling for NJ Transit to reconstruct the train platforms at the station in Belmar, making them ADA compliant.

The issue was brought up in June by Councilwoman Claire Diecke, chairwoman of the borough's ADA compliance committee. One of her fellow committee members witnessed a person struggling to board a train, and needing assistance. 

Deicke said she wrote a letter to NJ Transit requesting a fully compliant boarding ramp at the Belmar Train Station. The borough council took the issue further by passing a resolution calling for compliance.

The resolution "urges NJ Transit to take the necessary measures to ensure that the Belmar train station is ADA compliant and available to riders regardless of their need to utilize a wheelchair."

Deicke said the platforms are not ADA compliant, and NJ Transit needs to become compliant as soon as possible.

Ridership in Belmar is more than 300, according to the resolution, and access there is "vital to the economic wellbeing of Belmar residents and businesses."

At a recent meeting of the NJ Transit board, Belmar resident Brendan Read also spoke to the board about improving rideability at the Belmar station and the transit line to Bay Head.

Read spoke to NJ Transit about improved accessibility on the rail lines. According to the May 3 meeting minutes, Read said many people benefit from improved and universal accessibility and called for making the North Jersey Coast Line fully accessible.

Read said the issue goes beyond ADA compliance, but "these individuals, customers, and potential customers include aging baby boomers, mothers with young children, and cyclists who can also use the train."

At the same meeting, another New Jersey resident urged ADA compliance projects for NJ Transit stations. Javier Robles supports transit station accessibility and the Perth Amboy Station Accessibility Improvements Project.

He said there are a great number of people with disabilities and they really need accessible stations. Currently, some people have to take several buses to other cities and hospitals depending on where they live.

NJ Transit Chairman James Simpson thanked Robles and said "it is NJ TRANSIT’s goal to have all of the stations ADA accessible. Simpson requested a presentation at the next Board Meeting on an overview of the ADA strategy with regard to conformance and planning," according to the May meeting.