the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in a surprising move, Governor Phil Murphy announced on Thursday that NJ Transit will be offering a fare holiday from August 26 through September 2, waiving all fares on buses, trains, and light rail services. This election year gesture comes as a way to thank commuters for their patience after a summer marred by significant service disruptions.
“We want to end the summer on a positive note,” Murphy said during his appearance on “Good Day New York.” “It won’t cure everyone’s lack of patience, but it’s a small way to thank our hundreds of thousands of customers for their understanding during this challenging period.”
This fare holiday follows a recent 15% fare increase in July, the first in nearly a decade, with plans for additional 3% annual increases in the future. For some riders, especially those relying on expiring discount programs, these fare hikes have been even more significant.
Addressing Service Disruptions
NJ Transit’s on-time performance dropped to 69% in June, a noticeable decline from its usual 80% rate. These delays were largely attributed to issues with Amtrak’s infrastructure, which was responsible for two-thirds of the disruptions. However, Murphy assured the public that NJ Transit is working diligently to resolve these issues, with daily meetings and working groups focused on improving service reliability. The agency is also benefiting from a $300 million federal grant awarded to Amtrak for the repair of overhead wires.
Commuters in North Jersey have experienced a particularly frustrating summer, dealing with repeated delays caused by overhead wire issues, disabled trains, and even a brush fire near the Secaucus station. Regular riders have voiced their frustrations, with some, like Adil Sarwar from Hoboken, citing missed meetings and unreliable service as ongoing concerns. Others, like Casi Cortese from Morris Plains, have adjusted their schedules to avoid peak-hour chaos.
A Gesture of Appreciation
In addition to the fare holiday, NJ Transit will be offering a 25% discount to monthly pass holders as further compensation for the summer’s subpar service. Governor Murphy emphasized that this initiative is a genuine effort to acknowledge and thank NJ Transit’s loyal riders, rather than a politically motivated move.
“We’ve had a tough summer, and we recognize the frustration our riders have felt,” Murphy said. “This is our way of tipping our cap to them.”
Ongoing Efforts to Improve Service
NJ Transit has already taken significant steps to address the root causes of the summer’s service issues. The agency has increased equipment inspections on platforms, while Amtrak has intensified its efforts to inspect and repair catenary systems, track signals, and substations along the Northeast Corridor. These efforts have already led to a noticeable decrease in infrastructure-related incidents.
Additionally, NJ Transit is addressing performance issues with the River Line light rail service. A supplemental bus plan has been implemented to improve service reliability for weekday travelers, and the agency is holding its contracted operator accountable for expediting necessary repairs and upgrades.
Mixed Reactions
While many riders are likely to welcome the fare holiday, not everyone is pleased. Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, expressed concern over the timing of the fare holiday. “We understand the affordability challenges facing NJ Transit riders with a 15% fare increase,” Siekerka said. “However, providing this fare holiday on the heels of a massive corporate tax increase to support the budget woes for NJ Transit is a frustrating message and wholly disregards the latest hit our business community just took on competitiveness.”
As NJ Transit continues to navigate these challenges, the fare holiday serves as a small gesture of appreciation for commuters who have endured a summer of uncertainty and delays. Whether it will be enough to restore confidence in the system remains to be seen, but it’s a step in the right direction for an agency under intense scrutiny.
Government at its worst.
Or at its best, depending on what side you’re on.