Federal investigation of New Jersey Transit finds numerous safety violations

Trenton, New Jersey

A FEDERAL investigation of New Jersey Transit's railroad this year revealed that workers used personal cellphones while on duty and train crews failed to properly test brakes or blow horns at crossings, among other problems, the agency's executive director told state legislators at a hearing here last Friday.

After angering state lawmakers by not showing up at an investigative hearing last month, Steven Santoro, the new executive director, appeared before legislators and pledged to improve the troubled agency.