Commuter issues in NEPA

This petition is supported by responsible Pennsylvania Residents in NEPA to urge local officials and PennDot to apply for Federal Grants to build Park-n-Ride facilities, expand shuttle services, local roads and highways to reduce congestion issues, pollution and energy usage. In 2005, the US Census stated that 10,000 commuters traveled from NEPA to NYC or NJ. The only Public Park-n-Ride in the NEPA region is at the Delaware Water Gap with 145 parking spots, which is less than 1\% of the population of commuters in 2005. Moreover, the DWG Park-n-Ride is in a flood zone, which has flooded two years in a row. The Pennsylvania Residents in NEPA are faced with a major concern, Suburban sprawl, which defined as irresponsible, often poorly-planned development that destroys green space, increases traffic and air pollution, crowds schools and drives up taxes.

We the undersigned request the establishment of additional Park-n-Ride facilities to encourage car/van pooling and use of bus services. Additional Park-n-Ride facilities will also encourage additional bus companies to service the NEPA to help create new jobs and reduce congestion issues, pollution and energy usage.

The Commuter Task Force of NEPA is requesting that local officials take a realistic look at the issues the Pocono Commuters are facing and work towards solutions to improve the lifestyle of Commuters and the local community as a whole.

Pocono Commuters need new Park-and-Rides to support an aggregate of 3000 parking spots.
* 500 parking spots in Bushkill
* 500 Parking spots in DWG
* 500 Parking spots in Effort
* 500 parking spots in Mount Pocono
* 500 parking spots in Tannersville
* 500 parking spots in Tobyhanna

The building of additional Park-n-Ride facilities will protect the Pocono Community against monopolistic practices by Bus Companies in the NEPA region.

Pocono Community would like PennDOT to procure the Laird Technology property in the Delaware Water Gap, (DWG) as a potential second Park-n-Ride since this land is already paved and can support greater than 350 parked cars. The location will not require additional green space to be destroyed and is in an ideal location. The existing building can be converted into businesses to support the local community and commuters, (Restaurants, Dry Cleaners and Convenience stores). Laird Technology invested one million dollars to build a levy around the property to protect against flooding from the DWG. Laird Technologies is planning to move from the DWG facilities in February 2008, for the DWG flooding issues has hindered manufacturing production two years in a row. We would like a singular focus for this location to address the transportation crisis.

Pocono Commuters would like to change the parking rule at the DWG Park & Ride to five business days, instead of 24 hours.

Pocono Commuters would like to see expansion of the Pocono Pony Transit. We would like the Pocono Pony Transit to expand their routes and schedules to include the possibility of running busses from central pick-up points in each village/town to the commuter Bus pick up points.

In addition, Pocono Commuters do not want additional tolls on I80 for it will add to further congestion on I80 when traveling to and from work between PA and NYC.

The Commuter Task Force of NEPA is informing the local population of its efforts to improve the quality of life for all with emphasis on the positive aspects of a growing and vibrant Pocono community (i.e. better standards of living, higher property values, more businesses, better local jobs). Please visit the Website www.ctfnepa.com Commuter Task Force of NEPA Mission Statement: To educate NEPA community on the benefits of adopting Transportation operation strategies and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as viable options for improving the overall Commuter performance and quality of life in NEPA community.