(TRENTON) – A measure sponsored by Assembly Democrats Tim Eustace and Connie Wagner calling on NJ Transit to rescind the fare increase on the Main, Bergen County and Pascack Valley commuter rail lines was released Monday by an Assembly panel.
The bill (AR-157) notes that under the fare increase, a one-way NJ Transit ticket into Manhattan on the Pascack Valley commuter rail line has increased by as much as 50 cents and a one-way NJ Transit ticket into Manhattan on the Main and Bergen County commuter rail line has increased by as much as 75 cents, with a monthly pass on the Pascack Valley commuter rail line increasing by as much as $14 and a monthly pass into Manhattan on the Main and Bergen County commuter rail line increasing by as much as $23.
Since 2005, NJ Transit has increased fares three times, with the most recent increase occurring in 2010, which was the largest fare increase in the history of agency.
“New Jersey residents on the Main, Bergen County, and Pascack Valley commuter rail lines have been denied a one-seat ride into Manhattan and are faced with a lack of commuting options to the New York City area,” said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that public officials focus on ways to reduce government spending and avoid measures that place an excessive financial burden on the residents of New Jersey.”
“Transportation and housing costs are outpacing the growth of median household income, and public officials should avoid measures that place additional financial burdens on the residents of this state,” said Wagner (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Considering such worries, NJ Transit should immediately rescind the fare increase on the Main, Bergen County, and Pascack Valley commuter rail lines.”
The resolution was released by the Assembly transportation committee. If passed by the full Assembly, it will transmitted to Gov. Chris Christie, the transportation commissioner and the NJ Transit executive director.
