It’s official: Effective May 1, NJ Transit prices will increase by 25 percent. This is despite a stimulus the transportation company received from the recovery and reinvestment act of 2009.
The state subsidizes NJ Transit with $296 million a year. Last month, Gov. Christie announced his plans to withhold $32.7 million from the budget, which results in 25 percent price increases to fares for riders.
New Jersey is currently facing a $2.2 billion dollar budget gap, but the state’s public commuters are begging the governor to seek alternatives to NJ Transit price hikes.
A $5.50 train ride from Hackensack could cost $7 with the new price hikes. The increase will not only affect tickets for daily riders, but monthly passes as well.
What does this mean for Montclair State University students and professors who rely on public transportation everyday for their commute to campus?
Obviously, they will end up spending more on their daily commutes for the same excellent service they’ve grown accustomed to, right?
Actually, stations and times will also be cut from the schedules. Passengers at major train stations can expect to wait about 10 minutes longer for their rides.
MSU is always encouraging students to use public transportation to reduce both pollution and traffic congestion on and around campus. Fare hikes are not any kind of incentive.
Some New Jerseyans have pointed out that the gas tax hasn’t increased in years, as Christie stated that he would not, under any circumstances, increase the gas tax. Mass transit users are bearing the brunt of hastily made attempts to fill the budget hole.
As the state scrambles to find money, students and professors will have to shell out more change for a train or bus ride to the city.
One of the perks of Montclair State’s campus is its proximity to New York City. Fare hikes won’t make the experience any more enjoyable or efficient.
Nor will it encourage commuters to take the train instead of their car.
At any rate, cuts to the NJ Transit will do little to help the immediate deficit. If anything, they will inconvenience the thousands of riders who depend on the services.
Although public transportation will remain more environmentally friendly then cars, budget and service cuts will make using it more of a challenge.
-KM
I agree, cuts are not the way to go. What’s needed is privatization. NJ Transit needs to privatize bus service and completely get out of the business of providing bus service. They need to allow private carriers to actually own the rolling stock they operate and let the free market take over providing bus services. They need to refocus themselves on the rail system and rebuilding / expanding it. In addition, they can contract out operation / maintenance / upgrading of the lines in question to private companies. For example, taking the Montclair-Boonton line, they can maintain the actual rails and contract out the operation of the trains that actually go back and forth on that line to, let’s say DeCamp as an example, and DeCamp would be responsible for running and upgrading the trains. In addition, if they wanted to purchase new cars or replacement cars, they could do so, with their own money and not state money.