(The following story by Winstina S. Hughes appeared on the New York Times website on March 30, 2010.)
NEW YORK — New Jersey Transit announced today that they will rethink their budget-cutting proposals, including the 25 percent fare hike, after listening to the public outcry at the 12 lively hearings last week. Winstina S. Hughes was at the Friday, March 26 hearing at the Secaucus Junction Station and reported back to The Local.
On Friday, March 26, New Jersey Transit held another series of public hearings to allow for commuter feedback on the proposed 25 percent fare increase.
Zoe Baldwin, a resident of Newark who works for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, was one of dozens who attended the hearing at Secaucus Junction Station. She said that Newark riders comprise 24 percent of New Jersey Transit’s customers, and are the hardest hit by this proposal.
Under the proposal, fares would increase 25 percent statewide. Some train, bus and light rail services would be cut.
Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn residents should expect that the Morris and Essex line service would be reduced by seven trains on weekdays, four of which would be off-peak.
Commuters who purchase monthly passes would continue to receive a discount of 25 percent or more off full fares.
Off-peak train tickets would be eliminated. And the 10-trip bus discount would be capped at 15 percent off the full fare price.
“We realize this proposal is painful,” said Financial Officer Kim Vaccari at the hearing. “We are aggressively attempting to address issues.”
Salary freezes and furloughs started in 2009 at New Jersey Transit, but the budget gap couldn’t be met by internal reductions alone.
Citing a five percent decline in usage and a budget deficit of $300 million, New Jersey Transit announced a proposal on March 5 that it says maximizes cost and minimizes impact.
New Jersey Transit riders lined up to comment:
“Did you think of the college students,” asked Omar Dyer. “We want to ride these things. Don’t increase the fares until we can’t ride New Jersey Transit.”
Howard Rubenstein, who rides the Bergen line, offered advice on a better alternative to balance the budget.
“New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority faced a similar situation in 1990s and they used naming rights to raise funds” he said. ”Change the name of Secaucus station.”
Gerald Sova of Hoboken expressed his concern that tickets are not collected when the trains are crowded.
Michael Jensen, a resident of Hunterdon County, said that fewer buses will lead to over crowding or increased driving.
“I urge you, the board, and Governor Christie to rethink these terms,” said Mr. Jensen. “It’s common sense — subsidize motorist and transit equally.”
NJ Transit’s Board of Directors will take formal action on the proposal on April 4. Changes will take affect between May 1 and May 7. Public comments were recorded in writing and will be provided to the board during deliberations.
An article in yesterday’s Star Ledger, stated that New Jersey Transit’s Executive Director, James Weinstein, acknowledged, after listening to the feedback, that while the “proposed amount was likely to be lowered,” the decrease “is not likely to be huge,” given the $300 million deficit plaguing the agency.
In an interview with The Local on March 25, Mr. Weinstein said that the agency is “looking for people’s input.”