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NJ Transit will be free for a week as ‘thank you’ for messy service, Gov. Murphy says
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Aug 15, 2024
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Gary Hershorn / Getty Images
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Aug 15, 2024
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NJ Transit riders are getting a free week of rides as a treat after a summer of hellish service.
Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday announced a weeklong “transit fare holiday” from Aug. 26 through Sept. 2 — the week leading up to and through Labor Day weekend — with fares waived on all modes of transportation across the NJ Transit network. Commuters who already bought August monthly passes will automatically get 25% off their September passes through the NJ Transit app, vending machines or ticket booths, he said.
The governor acknowledged “many disruptions this summer” on NJ Transit, which has experienced frequent delays and cancellations on rail due to heat-related equipment issues, some involving collisions between drooping overhead train wires and power-drawing devices that sit atop the trains, known as pantographs. Because the agency shares tracks with Amtrak between New York City and Trenton, malfunctioning equipment can result in miserable commutes for riders of both services.
“As we work diligently with Amtrak to investigate and address the issues that have occurred this summer, especially on the Northeast Corridor, we hope this fare holiday offers our commuters some relief,” Murphy said in a statement, noting that officials were still trying to identify “root causes” for the recent meltdowns.
Both Murphy and NJ Transit described the fare holiday as a "thank you” to loyal customers. The move comes after NJ Transit hiked fares 15% this summer as a way to shore up its budget and New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer introduced legislation to guarantee NJ Transit and Amtrak riders refunds when they face disruptions. According to Gottheimer’s office, more than 650 NJ Transit trains were canceled in June alone. His office largely blamed Amtrak for the issues. But both transit agencies have sometimes blamed the other’s infrastructure, and both say they’re working on increased communications and inspections.
Some members of the state’s business community are expressing consternation about the free fares. The New Jersey Businesses and Industry Association said they were unfair given that Murphy and the stage Legislature recently passed a corporate tax surcharge increase to shore up NJ Transit’s ailing finances.
“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,” the group said in a statement on Thursday.
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phil murphy
amtrak
new jersey
Politics
transportation
Catalina Gonella
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