Facing a $100 million deficit and decreased ridership, New Jersey Transit voted today to move forward on a 15% increase in bus and train fares on July 1. The next phase includes public hearings, followed by a board vote.
The following statements on the fare hike have been issued:
Senate President Nicholas Scutari
“New Jersey Transit is obviously in need of additional financial support, but continual fare increases will not fix the problem. We simply cannot rely on everyday commuters to carry the burden of NJ Transit’s billion dollar deficit, nor should we count on one-shot funding mechanisms to fill the hole.
“Mass transit is the lifeblood of the state’s economy. It contributes to environmental improvements, economic growth and our quality of life. We want a world-class transit system that moves New Jersey into the future and NJ Transit is a key part of that system.”
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin
“We’ve made a commitment to make New Jersey more affordable. Before making a final decision, I urge the agency’s board to consider the impact higher fares will have on bus and train passengers who rely on NJTransit’s service. I commend the agency for considering non-fare box savings and revenue enhancements to help close the budget gap. The legislature will continue to explore options to help support transportation in the state.”
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco
“New Jersey Transit’s proposed train, light rail, and bus fare increases are unacceptable and will only make it harder for our already financially strapped transit riders to make ends meet. We knew that NJT was facing a budget shortfall and Republicans have been sounding the alarms and offering solutions to address budget mismanagement issues like NJT, among others, for some time now. Unfortunately, we have been ignored.
This is the exact type of result we feared as the Murphy Administration has proceeded with egregious spending habits, including allowing NJT to lease an extremely expensive new headquarters. This was just poor fiscal management that has now left transit riders and New Jersey taxpayers shouldering the bill. We need to be better stewards of taxpayers’ dollars and start cutting wasteful spending to address growing affordability issues such as this.”
State Senator John McKeon
“Today’s announcement on a new fare increase from New Jersey Transit is nothing more than a tax on riders, especially those who commute round-trip five days a week. As a long-time watchdog of New Jersey Transit, new sources of revenue for NJ Transit are desperately needed to avoid service cuts, provide safety upgrades, and complete infrastructure investments. But we can’t put the financial burden on working people when we have corporations not paying their fair share to support public transportation modes that carry their employees to work every day.
“I’m frustrated by the Board’s decision today and am saddened by the negative impact this will have on loyal commuters.”
Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz
“Gov. Murphy said he will fix New Jersey Transit if it kills him. His only plan is to kill affordable public transit for residents now that he doesn’t have to worry about state elections anymore. Democrats only plan when facing financial problems is to make people pay more. Plain and simple.”
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz
“Today’s New Jersey Transit’s fare hike announcement will undoubtedly affect the thousands of my neighbors who depend on it each day for work, school, doctors’ appointments and other necessities. The people who can least afford it will be footing this bill. I understand the tough situation that the NJ Transit is in today, but the impact on commuters must be discussed. I have deep concerns that this fare hike will hurt residents as they are trying to make ends meet. My neighbors depend on NJ transit each day and a fare increase like this one must be discussed extensively with stakeholders and the community who it will affect. A drastic fare hike must be the very last resort.”
Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman Clinton Calabrese
“New Jersey’s railways and buses serve as crucial lifelines for tens of thousands of residents and commuters in our state. Although the proposed fare hikes may be deemed necessary, decision-makers at NJ Transit must consider alternative measures to address the budget gap without unduly burdening riders. In my role as the chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, I am committed to facilitating a thorough and inclusive public hearing process. This will enable commuters to express their views and concerns on this significant matter, ensuring their voices are heard and considered.”
For The Many NJ Campaign Director Eric Benson
“Fare hikes on everyday New Jerseyans does nothing to make the state more affordable and shows why we need to have fair sustainable revenue like the Corporation Business Tax surtax. While big corporations are getting $1 billion in tax cuts, New Jersey’s leaders have no plan to fill budget holes and instead are throwing the costs to working families. If the Governor and legislature don’t get serious about raising revenues from the wealthy and powerful, it will be the working- and middle-class residents of the state who end up paying the price.”
New Jersey Business and Industry Association President Michele Siekerka
With the sunset of the temporary 2.5% CBT surtax on Jan. 1, New Jersey now has the fourth highest CBT rate in the nation.
“Unfortunately, these familiar calls still show a complete misunderstanding of the impacts of having the highest CBT rate in the nation and the benefits that happen when the CBT rate is more competitive.
“Governor Murphy made the correct call in letting the CBT temporary surtax expire. Looking for sustainable and dedicated funding for NJ TRANSIT which excludes more business tax increases that make New Jersey less competitive is also the correct call.
“The fact of the matter is there has never been a nexus between the Corporate Business Tax surtax and NJ TRANSIT.
“Beyond the obvious reputational damage that is done for New Jersey’s business climate nationally and internationally by having the highest CBT rate in the country, the notion of proactively wanting to keep our state as an outlier on business taxes ignores how challenging it is for our job creators to grow and expand.
“Sadly, those who seek to just heap yet another tax on business ignore the fact that some of them may not be enjoying the same level of success as they would elsewhere. Or that a tax increase, on top of all the high costs of running a business in New Jersey, actually CAN make our state unaffordable for them.
“To just wave a magic wand with yet another tax on business, which would actually be a new tax during a time of multi-billion-dollar surplus, without looking at comprehensive NJT solutions for the short-term and long-term, and seeing where we can control spending as a state, while seeking where we might be able to help our most vulnerable NJ TRANSIT riders, is not inspired thinking.”