Stop NJ Transit Fare Hike

Information about Fare and Service Changes

On April 14, 2010, the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approved a revised fare and service plan to help close the agency’s looming $300 million budget gap.  The revised fare plan reduces the systemwide fare increase to 22 percent and provides a fiscally sound and sustainable budget that continues high-quality service delivery.

Rail Fare Information

• Although rail fares will increase 25 percent effective May 1, deep monthly discounts will be maintained, as will discounts for seniors, students and children.
• Customers using weekly and monthly rail passes will continue to be able to make connections between trains and buses without additional cost.
• Train schedules will be adjusted to accommodate customers whose trains will be eliminated as part of the effort to match service with current demand.  Rail schedules will change May 23 on most lines.
• Discounted off-peak rail tickets will not be sold after April 30 and will not be accepted after May 23.

Light Rail Fare Information

Light rail fares will increase 10 percent.  The one-way ticket will increase from $1.35 to $1.50 on Newark Light Rail and River Line.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail trips will increase from $1.90 to $2.10.

Bus Fare Information

On the bus side, interstate and commuter bus fares also will increase 25 percent. Discounted 10-trip bus tickets will continue to be offered, with discounts capped at 15 percent.  The Board also approved retaining service on several local bus routes in eight counties that had been proposed for elimination.  The restoration of bus services preserves associated Access Link paratransit services that shadow local bus routes.

The final fare plan that will take effect May 1 provides for a 10 percent increase for local bus and light rail riders – who make up 52% of NJ TRANSIT customers.

Fares for seniors, children 11 and under, and customers with disabilities will continue to be discounted 50 percent or more off regular one-way fares.

In addition, students who attend a college or university in our University Partnership program can receive up to 25 percent off their monthly pass.  Visit njtransit.com for details.

NJ TRANSIT customers can save up to $1,000 annually by taking advantage of commuter tax benefits through their employer.  (The federal government recently increased the pre-tax commuter benefit to $230 per month.)  For more information on how to save, visit www.njtransit.com/taxbenefits.

For more information about the fare and service plan, visit www.njtransit.com/budget.

Tags: Business, New Jersey Transit, Newark Light Rail, River Line, Transit Systems, Transportation and Logistics, United States, Urban Transport

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 at 1:13 pm and is filed under NJ Transit News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.