NJ TRANSIT SET TO BEGIN PUBLIC HEARINGS ON FARE AND SERVICE PROPOSAL
Public comment encouraged at locations across the system
NJT-15-031
April 20, 2015
| NEWARK, NJ —Throughout the past five years, NJ TRANSIT held the line on fare increases while maintaining high quality services and implementing new customer amenities including MyTix, Departurevision, and MyBus Now.
However, costs such as contract services – Access Link, the organization’s paratransit service, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and private carriers – and healthcare and benefits, general liability insurance, workers’ compensation and pensions have steadily risen. As a result, NJ TRANSIT has been left with a significant budget gap.
Although NJ TRANSIT has identified more than $40 million in reductions in overtime, fuel savings, energy and vehicle parts efficiencies, the agency still faces an approximate $60 million budget gap for the 2016 fiscal year. To close the gap, fare and service adjustments are being proposed.
NJ TRANSIT will hold nine scheduled public hearings and one information session beginning Saturday, May 16, 2015 to allow the public the opportunity to learn more about the proposed fare increases and service changes and offer comments before the plan is considered by the Board of Directors on July 8, 2015.
The proposed service and fare changes would take effect in September 2015 and on October 1, 2015, respectively. The proposed fare adjustment would be an average of 9 percent for the majority of NJ TRANSIT customers.
Examples include:
NJ TRANSIT Rail
NJ TRANSIT Bus
NJ TRANSIT Light Rail
The proposed rail and bus service changes are:
RAIL:
BUS:
Beginning on Monday, April 20th, customers may log on to www.njtransit.com for additional information regarding the budget and service adjustment plan. To ensure an inclusive public comment process, NJ TRANSIT has scheduled nine public hearings and one information session at locations across the state from May 16 through May 21. The hearings and information session will be held in the evenings and on Saturday to encourage participation.
In addition to appearing in person, members of the public also may submit comments via mail to: PUBLIC HEARING OFFICE – FARE PROPOSAL COMMENTS, ONE PENN PLAZA EAST, NEWARK, NJ 07105; online at www.njtransit.com or dropped off at Customer Service Offices. The online public comment period will be extended until 11:59 p.m., Thursday, May 21.
About Public Hearings & Information Sessions
By statute, public hearings must take place on weekdays, in the evening, and within the State of New Jersey. NJ TRANSIT is supplementing its slate of public hearings with an information session on Saturday, May 16. As a practical matter, there will be no difference in the way public hearings and information sessions are conducted. Public comments will be accepted at both and will carry the same weight.
All public hearings/information session locations are accessible for persons with disabilities. A sign language interpreter will be available at each location. Individuals requesting special assistance or other accommodations to participate in a public hearing or information session should contact the Public Hearing Office at (973) 491-7453 or TTY (800) 772-2287 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by May 6, 2015 in order for NJ TRANSIT to make necessary arrangements. PUBLIC HEARINGS & INFORMATION SESSIONS
Saturday, May 16, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. NEW BRUNSWICK (INFORMATION SESSION) New Brunswick Public Library – Carl T. Valenti Community Rm., 60 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Monday, May 18, 2015 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. ATLANTIC CITY Atlantic City Rail Terminal - Lobby One Atlantic City Expressway, Atlantic City, NJ
FREEHOLD Monmouth County Agricultural Building 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. SECAUCUS Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction County Road & County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ
CAMDEN Camden City Hall - Council Chambers (2nd Fl.) 520 Market Street, Camden, NJ
Wednesday, May 20, 2015 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. NEWARK NJ TRANSIT Headquarters – Board Room One Penn Plaza East, Newark, NJ
HACKENSACK Learning Center, 4th Floor One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ
Thursday, May 21, 2015 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. TRENTON Trenton Transit Center 72 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, NJ
MORRISTOWN Morristown Town Hall - Senior Community Center (3rd Fl.) 200 South Street, Morristown, NJ
PATERSON Paterson Museum – Thomas Rogers Building 2 Market Street, Paterson NJ |
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 915,900 weekday trips on 261 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.