Fare Hikes Panned: NJ Transit Shouldn’t Balance Budget on Backs of Straphangers

Trenton — NJ Transit announced today a 15% fare hike for all straphangers for the upcoming FY25 fiscal year, including a 3% annual increase. The NJ Transit Board will hold 10 public hearings across the state in the first week in March to collect public comments on the proposed fare hike.

Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey, released the following statement:

“This is deja vu all over again – NJ Transit can’t balance its budget on the backs of straphangers. NJ Transit’s fiscal cliff is not going to be solved by jacking up fares on train and bus riders – this will only drive transit riders away and hurt straphangers who can’t afford hikes the most. The real solution is to provide ongoing dedicated funding to NJ Transit. This moment of crisis for NJ Transit demands that the Legislature & Gov. Murphy provides increased funding for NJ Transit in the FY25 budget to close the budget gap – not sock it to riders. We urge the NJ Transit Board, Governor Murphy and the Legislature to work together to roll back this proposed fare hike – and for straphangers to show up at public hearings to call for funding equity for NJ Transit.”