A threatened cut to $50 million in federal funding for NJ Transit has been been averted.

NJ Congressman Frank Pallone (D, NJ-6th District), a ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a statement that an agreement had been reached to preserve the High Density States Program and remove a House-passed attachment that would have killed the program.

“The reversal of this cut to New Jersey Transit is an important victory for our workers, our commuters, and our state," Pallone said.  "We now have the opportunity to produce and pass a final bill that simultaneously strengthens our economy and provides overdue repairs and improvements to our roads, bridges and entire transportation system.”

NJ Transit is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system.

Funding for transportation systems in six other northeastern states was also saved.

Sen. Robert Menendez on Monday held a press conference at Newark's Penn Station to caution against cutting the funding. “These are funds that go for track repair, station improvements and building new rail cars and buses,” Menendez said.

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