The Hudson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved (9-0) a measure opposing any potential NJ Transit fare hikes at last week’s meeting.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This is hard on our commuters who are attempting to use mass transportation. They can’t afford all these toll hikes, whether it’s NJ Transit or the Port Authority, with this economy,” Board Chair Anthony Romano (D-5) said this morning.
“The board hopes NJ Transit reconsiders their proposed fare hike in a timely fashion.”
The resolution, sponsored by all nine commissioners, notes that mass transit is crucial for thousands of Hudson County residents, as well as calling for copies of all financial analyses and documents related to NJ Transit’s project budget shortfall.
“New Jersey Transit Corporation recently proposed a fare increase of 15% on New Jersey Transit’s mass transit system of buses, trains, and light rail to address a projected shortfall of $119 million in its 2025 operating budget,” the resolution says.
“Any increase in bus, train or light rail fares presents a hardship to many residents of Hudson County who cannot afford fare hike increases, particularly those with fixed income who depend on public transportation such as senior citizens, those receiving governmental assistance, the disabled and the working poor.”
Earlier this month, NJ Transit hosted 10 public hearings ahead of their board’s vote on the budget, currently scheduled for June, including one at the Frank R. Lautenberg Station in Secaucus, the only one in Hudson County, as HCV first reported.
If approved, NJ Transit fares would also have subsequent three percent increases in perpetuity.
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