NJ Transit to hold hearings on proposed fare hikes, service changes

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- The public will get to weigh-in next month on New Jersey Transit's proposal to raise fares 9 percent and cut some services to close a $60-million budget gap.

The last fare hike was in 2010, when the agency raised fares by an average of 22 percent.

However, officials say costs such as contract services - Access Link, the organization's paratransit service, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and private carriers - and healthcare and benefits, general liability insurance, workers' compensation and pensions have steadily risen.

NJ Transit identified more than $40 million in reductions in overtime, fuel savings, energy and vehicle parts efficiencies, but the agency still faces a huge shortfall for the 2016 fiscal year.

NJ Transit will hold nine scheduled public hearings and one information session beginning Saturday, May 16 to allow the public the opportunity to learn more about the proposed fare increases and service changes and offer comments before the plan is considered by the Board of Directors on July 8, 2015.

Under the proposal, a train ticket from Metropark to New York is currently $10 and a monthly ticket $284, but those fares could rise to $10.90 and more than $300. Morristown fares would go from $13 and $361 to just over $14 and nearly $400.

More details are available at njtransit.com.

PUBLIC HEARINGS and INFORMATION SESSIONS

Saturday, May 16, 2015

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

NEW BRUNSWICK (INFORMATION SESSION)

New Brunswick Public Library - Carl T. Valenti Community Rm.,

60 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ

Monday, May 18, 2015

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

ATLANTIC CITY

Atlantic City Rail Terminal - Lobby

One Atlantic City Expressway, Atlantic City, NJ

FREEHOLD

Monmouth County Agricultural Building

40000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

SECAUCUS

Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction

County Road & County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ

CAMDEN

Camden City Hall - Council Chambers (2nd Fl.)

520 Market Street, Camden, NJ

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

NEWARK

NJ TRANSIT Headquarters - Board Room

One Penn Plaza East, Newark, NJ

HACKENSACK

Learning Center, 4th Floor

One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ

Thursday, May 21, 2015

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

TRENTON

Trenton Transit Center

72 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, NJ

MORRISTOWN

Morristown Town Hall - Senior Community Center (3rd Fl.)

200 South Street, Morristown, NJ

PATERSON

Paterson Museum - Thomas Rogers Building

2 Market Street, Paterson NJ