A conductor waits for passengers to board an NJ Transit train at the Clifton Station on Thursday April 11, 2024.
© Tariq Zehawi/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Newark, NJ) – New Jersey Transit commuters rallied on Friday outside of the transit agency’s headquarters in Newark. It would make sense that they should gather, given the abysmal service record NJ Transit has put on display this month. But the rally was most directly in opposition to a fare hike that is coming on Monday.
Beginning Monday, July 1, 2024, trains and buses will go up 15%. This follows a month of June that’s seen routine delays, cancellations, and re-routed trains. Most of those were blamed on Amtrak, which owns and maintains the tracks. Specifically, high-heat causes the overhead wires to sag — leading to numerous other issues.
As of this week, Amtrak and NJ Transit met to discuss ways to improve the situation. Governor Phil Murphy maintains both agencies are in lockstep — so as to make a major commitment toward improving infrastructure. Rail riders can only hope that will lead to improved service, sooner rather than later.
