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Attendees to events at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, which includes the Izod Center, can leave their car at home and take the train. Governor Jon S. Corzine inaugurated new rail service to the Meadowlands Sports Complex today, launching an era of travel convenience for the millions of New Jersey residents and visitors who attend year-round events at the Meadowlands.

Dozens of officials and guests, including players from the New York Jets and New York Giants, joined the Governor for the inaugural train ride, which originated in Hoboken’s Historic Erie Lackawanna and finished with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Meadowlands Station.

 "NJ TRANSIT rail service, with its ability to move thousands of people in a safe and efficient manner, is a natural fit for one of New Jersey’s premiere spectator sport and concert locations," Governor Corzine said. "This line will play an increasingly important role in the development of green transportation practices by helping fans avoid traffic congestion, resulting in fewer cars on our roadways and reduced emissions."

Currently, the new line makes two stops—the Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction and the Meadowlands Stations. Train service will operate frequently, approximately every 10-20 minutes between Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction and Meadowlands Station, both before and after major events expected to draw 50,000 or more spectators. These events include all Jets and Giants pre-season and regular season home games, major concerts at Giants Stadium, and Gold Cup soccer. NJ TRANSIT will be able to accommodate about 10,000 customers traveling to and from an event on the new rail line.

 "Excellent public transportation service is a hallmark of world-class sporting and entertainment facilities, so this new rail service helps cement the Meadowlands’ status as a world-class destination for spectator sports and other major events," said Dennis Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.

The line and station are the centerpieces of a $213 million Meadowlands Railroad and Roadway Improvement Project funded by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, NJ TRANSIT and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

The new line consists of two new tracks, each about 2.5 miles long. Each set of tracks connects to NJ TRANSIT’s Pascack Valley Line near the Meadowlands. Service will begin about 3.5 hours before a game or event and continue for about two hours after the conclusion of the event.

In 2010 the 2-million-square-foot Meadowlands Xanadu, an entertainment, retail and dining destination will open at the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Train service will switch from special event to be part of a daily route schedule, servicing events at the Izod Center. The new rail line will serve customers for the first time on Sunday, July 26, when Giants Stadium hosts the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Gold Cup Final championship soccer match.