The City of Hackensack is urging NJ Transit to perform a thorough safety audit of the Pascack Valley Line with the expressed goal of limiting intended and unintended deaths after two fatalities occurred in just over a week, one in Hackensack on August 7 and another in River Edge on August 15.
These recent incidents follow another pedestrian fatality involving a train in Hackensack on May 22.
In an open letter to NJ Transit’s Agency Safety Management Department, the Mayor and City Council called for immediate action to identify and fix dangerous areas along the corridor, particularly at pedestrian crossings and near homes and schools.
The City’s request outlines several recommendations for consideration:
- Improved signage with reflective, multilingual warnings and suicide prevention hotline details
- Enhanced warning systems with ground-level flashing lights and distinct audible alerts
- Physical barriers and additional fencing at known unauthorized access points
- Rail safety education programs expanding across schools, libraries, and community centers
The City is ready to coordinate with NJ Transit and neighboring communities along the Pascack Valley Line to support both immediate actions and long-term safety investments.
