Find alternatives to proposed MOM rail line

I find it ironic that the people who are for the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail line do not live anywhere near where the proposed line or lines are planned to be built. Yes, they are for it — it will not be in their back yard. For many people, it will be less than 100 feet away from their yards. For me, it is 60 feet.

When we decided to live in the towns in which we live, we knew how crowded the area was. Most people who presently use the rail service picked the town they live in because the rail line was near their area. People in Marlboro, Manalapan and Freehold use the Matawan rail station.

All of the people with whom I have spoken did not know when they bought their house that the area in their back yard was owned by NJ Transit. Most of us were told that it was the Henry Hudson Trail, which is operated by the Monmouth County Park System.

Yes, we are all very aware that this area is becoming more crowded each year and something must be done. It is time that we all unite and think about the people this will affect.

Some of us have spent our life savings on a home that we love. Unite and think of alternative solutions to this difficult problem. Explore the possibility of adding more park-and-ride areas in and along Route 9. Put pressure on new developers to donate land for this use.

There are many solutions that will not cost the billions of dollars that this project will and will not affect the lives of people who live in those areas.

Dawn Bittner

Freehold