NJ Transit Considers 9 Percent Fare Hike, Service Cuts

NJ Transit is considering a 9 percent fare increase and service cuts in an effort to close a $60 million budget gap at the agency. 

At Wednesday's NJ Transit board meeting the chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, John Wisniewski, told the board the proposed hike would amount to a more than 55 percent fare increase in the past decade.

He told the board there are other ways to fund transportation, "Instead of relying on the hard working people of the state New Jersey to subsidize more failed policies" by the Christie administration, he said. 

NJ Transit is the third-largest provider of bus and light rail transportation in country.

"Asking us to accept a 9 percent fare increase simply to maintain the woefully inadequate status quo is pushing the boundaries of fairness and good taste," said resident Anderson Silva. The increase would cost him an additional $200 a year. "Which I could accept," Silva said, "If it bought fewer breakdowns, more frequent service and fewer missed connections."

Resident David Peter Alan told the board that riders are being priced out of mass transit while the gas tax for motor vehicle users has remained the same.

“We are sick and tired of transit being treated as a business while highways remain a public giveaway program,” Alan said.

Public testimony on the fare increase begins next week.