NJ Transit Take a Hike

For Immediate Release

April 21, 2015

Contact: Jeff Tittel, Director, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100

NJ Transit Take a Hike

New Jersey Transit is proposing a 9 percent fare increase, to help close a $60 million budget gap. The fare increase is in addition to service cuts that will impact two rail lines and six bus lines starting in the fall. The public will be able to comment on the proposal during a written comment period and public hearing. The Sierra Club plans to work with other groups in a campaign to block these proposed changes.

“This fare hike is Unfair! 9 percent is an outrageous increase. This fare hike is on top of the fact that they are going to cut back service. It will mean less people will ride buses and trains putting more people back in cars. This fare increase will mean more traffic and more air pollution. The fare increase will mean fewer riders and less revenue leading to more fare increase and service cuts. The TTF is broke and so there is no money to improve the roads for the former transit riders. The cuts in service are the cruelest cuts of all, causing more delays and problems for commuters,” said Jeff Tittel Director NJ Sierra Club.

In addition commuters are continually dissatisfied with service that Governor Christie’s transit policies have caused including the hikes in fares, getting rid of off peak pricing, cuts to service and maintenance all resulting in a drop in customer satisfaction. People have seen major delays, the breakdown of trains, overcrowding as well as equipment failures. Having more dissatisfied transit riders means more people will drive, adding to traffic, pollution, and sprawl. New Jersey has one of the best transit systems in the country and Christie’s policies of cutting back in transit services and increasing fares are hurting that.

July will be the latest NJ Transit can approve the hike in timing with the state’s fiscal ’16 budget. The agency faces pressure to pay back a state loan and a state subsidy decrease by $13 million. In past years, NJ Transit received subsidy funding for other state programs like the Clean Energy Fund and an agreement with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Current sources of the Transportation Trust Fund are also running low making the NJT’s loan repayment even more important to the state.

“NJ Transit is trying balance DOTs budget on the backs of commuters; they are doing fare raises on transit riders and shifting that money to other transportation programs. We can raise transit fares, but not the gas tax?” said Tittel.

The state’s gas tax is the second lowest in the nation and could be a source of funding for the transportation improvements in the state. Since 1988, the gas tax hasn’t been raised, but the fares for New Jersey Transit have been raised 8 times.

After the comment period, NJ Transit will decide what service areas will be cut. The public should voice their concerns as did in 2010 when many routes were saved, including ones that serve Monmouth County. People need to come out and advocate against the proposed fare and service changes.

“Higher Fares and cuts in service is no way to run a transit system. The Christie administration is trying to ruin one of the best transit systems in the country. This is outrageous and we will fight this,” said Tittel.

The online public comment period is open until 11:59 p.m., Thursday, May 21 via their online contact form: http://www.njtransit.com/var/var_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=NJTProposedFareChangeTo

Comments can also be dropped off at NJ Transit Customer Service Offices or mailed to Public Hearing Office- Fare Proposal Comments, One Penn Plaza East, Newark, NJ 07105.

The public can comment in person during a hearing at NJ Transit's May 13 meeting at 6 p.m., at NJ Transit's headquarters, across Raymond Boulevard from Penn Station in Newark.