NJ Transit fares to increase

To help cover an increasing budget gap, and combat rising fuel and healthcare costs, NJ Transit is planning to raise fares by about 15%. Also to change, is the discount for off-peak tickets. The current discount is 25%... that'll change to only 12.5%.

I suppose that makes sense, because the off peak trains are just as packed, if not more so, than the rush hour trains. There will also be some simplification of transfers for folks with monthly passes. This little number below for the Hudson Bergen Light Rail will jump from $1.50 to $1.75. Not bad, but it really goes to show what a deal the PATH is at $1.20 a ride (when you buy a 20 trip card).

I don't think this will mean NJT will get off it's butt and get some projects running. Re-establishing service on the West Trenton line, the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex route, double tracking the Pascack Valley line, extending the RiverLINE through Trenton to West Trenton... and on and on and on. Somehow I don't think 15% will cover that... or even the current budget gap, frankly. As my friends in the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers constantly point out... NJT needs a dedicated revenue source - and that source should be slightly higher gasoline taxes (NJ's are some of the lowest in the country).