(The following story by Larry Higgs appeared on the Asbury Park Press website on May 13, 2010.)
NEWARK, N.J. — Now that riders have recovered from the shock of double-digit fare increases, here come the service cuts.
New NJ Transit rail schedules take effect on May 23, which reflect service cuts that in conjunction with the May 1 fare hikes are intended to close a $300 million budget gap.
The North Jersey Coast Line will lose four weekday trains: Train 2306, the 6:41 a.m. departure from Bay Head; 2309, the 5:10 p.m. departure from Hoboken; 3517, the 7:42 p.m. departure from New York, and 3518, the 9:13 p.m. departure from South Amboy. NJ Transit officials estimate about 1,000 customers are affected.
But changes have been made on three other trains to soften the blow to riders, based on comments made during public hearings about the fare increase and services cuts.
Train 3224 will add a stop at Woodbridge to accommodate Train 2306 customers. Train 2307 will leave Hoboken 9 minutes later to reduce the waiting time for riders who used to take Train 2309. Train 3283 will add a stop at Rahway to accommodate local riders who used to take Train 3517.
NJ Transit officials plan to monitor related issues such as crowding on trains and ridership, said James Weinstein, executive director.
“People will see on some trains, we spread out the time and changed the headway (time between trains), Weinstein said.
Even Weinstein, who rides Northeast Corridor trains, isn’t immune from the impact.
“I rode” one of the trains that will be missing from the new schedule, Weinstein said. The Northeast Corridor is losing five trains in all, affecting 2,700 passengers.
Cuts have already gone into effect on NJ Transit bus lines, and at least one private carrier, Academy Bus, has added more commuter service. Weinstein said NJ Transit has seen some diversion of riders to private bus carriers after the fare increase.