The Regional Plan Association is advocating a rail tunnel from 34th Street, near Pennsylvania Station, to Manhattan's east side under Madison Avenue, with a possible link to Grand Central Terminal.

The group says the link -- extending a rail tunnel already being planned -- would shave about 20 minutes a day off the commutes of 30,000 New Jersey residents bound for Manhattan's east side.

In its report Monday, the association also recommends light rail pegged to development on Manhattan's far west side. It says underserved areas would benefit from an above-ground loop along 42nd Street to the Hudson River, back along 34th and up Broadway to Lincoln Center.

The report says the light rail plans should move forward in tandem with development of the Moynihan Station, Madison Square Garden and the No. 7 subway extension.

On the Net: www.rpa.org/