newjerseynewsroom.com

First increase in three years, Democrats blaming Christie for "tax hike''

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

SECOND UPDATE

NJ Transit officials announced Friday bus and rail riders can expect a 25 percent fare hike and service cuts beginning May 1 in an attempt to offset a $300 million budget deficit.

Director James Weinstein said he supports a 25 percent hike system wide and a reduction in service to meet a 4 percent decline in ridership.

Off-peak roundtrip discounts would be eliminated and 10-trip bus discounts would be capped at 15 percent off the full fare price.

NJ Transit last raised fares in 2007 when riders faced a 9 percent increase.

"We recognize that any increase is a burden for our customers, particularly during as recession,'' Weinstein said. "However, we have worked to keep local bus fares below the regional average and preserved some important discounts for seniors and people with disabilities, as well as for students and others who are among the most transit dependent.''

The service cutbacks call for the elimination of 32 of 725 commuter trains.

Two public hearings on the fare hike are planned for March 25 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at both NJ Transit Headquarters, One Penn plaza East, Newark, and at the Passaic County Community College theater, Ellison Street and Memorial Drive, Paterson.

Democrats in the Legislature are blaming Gov. Chris Christie for the fare increase, calling it a tax hike on the low- and middle-income.

"Governor Christie's fare increase is a tax on working commuters and will make our economy even less competitive and our roads even more congested,'' said Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the lower house‘s Transportation Committee. "Governor Christie promised New Jerseyans no tax increases, and this fare hike is nothing more than a tax increase by another name."

"Hiking fares by this much is a major blow to New Jerseyans who rely on NJ Transit trains and buses to get to work and earn a living day-after-day,'' said Assemblyman Charles Mainor (D-Hudson). "Governor Christie promised no taxes, but this equates to a major tax hike on middle-class and poor New Jerseyans."

Mike Drewniak, Christie's press secretary, said, "The fare proposal and other cost-cutting measures are highly regrettable but also unavoidable. How else does the transit agency fill a $300 million budget gap in the next fiscal year? A Tax increase? Hardly. Calling it that is taking an unfortunate fiscal reality and using it to score political points. That's just cynical and, as usual, unhelpful."

Drewniak noted that besides the financial loss due to a 4 percent decline in ridership, NJ Transit is losing $159 million in one-time federal stimulus money and a $57 million increase in contract obligations, increased operating costs for fuel and parts.

Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Bergen) said, "A fare increase that directly targets working New Jerseyans is no different than a tax increase, and, as we know, Governor Christie promised no tax increases. It's also unfortunate that Governor Christie is placing the burden on middle- and lower-income New Jerseyans."

New Jersey Future Executive Director Peter Kasabach Friday issued the following statement in response to the announced NJ Transit service cuts.

"New Jersey Future understands the gravity of the state's current budget crisis, and we recognize that hard choices are necessary to address the situation. We believe, however, that placing this burden solely on transit riders, and not on the transportation system as a whole, sends the wrong message about New Jersey's priorities and damages the state's potential for economic growth. New Jersey's extensive transit system is one of its greatest competitive advantages; it has been a key factor in attracting employers and residents to the state in recent years. Cutting service and raising fares on the system not only hurts riders, but also limits our ability to create long-term, sustainable economic growth in New Jersey."