Weinberg speaks at NJ Transit budget hearing

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg took to task the proposed $25 million increase to NJ Transit’s budget on grounds that the beleaguered agency needed more.

“The audit was completed in October, yet the new budget only contains a $25 million increase for NJ Transit operations?” Weinberg said. “In a written response to my questions at the March NJ Transit board meeting, NJ Transit reported that its labor costs alone are going up $35 million this year.”

The Senate Budget Committee’s second session of the day Thursday focused on the agency.

NJ Transit is preparing for its second “summer of hell,” when vacationing employees will exacerbate the agency’s staffing issues.

“Our transportation infrastructure is the heart of our economy. Hundreds of thousands of customers are counting on us to make the right choices in this budget. If we are really committed to creating a 21st century economy that works for all of us, we need to build a 21st Century transit system that does the same.”