Sure it will cost more than $1 billion by the time it's finished .‚.‚. several months behind schedule.
Yes, it travels only 34 miles from Camden to Trenton.
That's right, NJ Transit is already considering gimmicks such as free rides in hopes of enticing passengers to give it a try.
But despite the numerous marks against it, the South Jersey Light Rail Line will become a reality by the middle of next year. And the only way to keep it from being named in the same breath with the Edsel, New Coke and Cop Rock is to actually work to make it a success.
Riverside Township in Burlington County has the right idea.
The community is capitalizing on its location along the light rail line by earning designation as a Transit Village from NJ Transit. In exchange for a redevelopment plan that focuses on housing, retail and office space within a half- mile of train stations and bus depots, the designation allows for increased access to state funding.
NJ Transit Executive Director George Warrington is looking for more of the same.
"(The rail line's) long-term success hinges on development in and around the service," he said.
Whether or not the light rail ever becomes packed with passengers, South Jersey's riverfront communities ought to take advantage of this opportunity to gain access to money and technical services in land-use planning and traffic engineering.
The state is already talking to Palmyra, Riverton and Trenton about the best ways to take advantage of the new service. And Cherry Hill and Lindenwold have worked to spur growth around the Atlantic City Rail Line.
Love it or hate it, the South Jersey Light Rail Line is coming. It's up to South Jersey to make the best of it.