Listen to this articleGovernor Phil Murphy announced on August 15 that all fares would be waived across the NJ Transit network from August 26 to September 2.
The fare exemption came on the heels of a brutal summer for rail travellers, marked by a series of system failures that led to cancellations and delays and left passengers stranded in the heat.
The governor made the announcement on Fox 5’s “Good Day New York,” acknowledging the disruption riders face during the summer and calling the fare waiver a “thank you” to the hundreds of thousands of loyal customers who rely on public transit.
“As we understand that our commuters have faced many disruptions this summer, we are providing NJ Transit riders with a one-week fare waiver,” Murphy said in a statement announcing the news. “As we work diligently with Amtrak to investigate and resolve the issues that arose this summer, particularly on the Northeast Corridor, we hope this fare waiver will provide some relief to commuters. We also encourage New Jerseyans to take advantage of this opportunity, and we remain grateful to the many New Jerseyans who rely on public transit.”
As a thank you to our loyal customers, Governor Murphy has announced a fare waiver for all customers from August 26th to September 2nd. Fares on all modes of transportation will be waived, allowing free rides throughout the NJ TRANSIT network. pic.twitter.com/bNHbRUIZwY
— NJTRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) 15 August 2024
Monthly ticket holders who have already purchased an August ticket will automatically receive a 25% discount on the purchase of their September monthly ticket via the mobile app, at ticket machines or at the ticket counters.
No make-up, but “a recognition”
Murphy was asked at Fox if this was a compensation for the drivers who had to deal with the disruptions over the summer.
“I would say it’s less of an act of reparation – because I’m not naive enough to think that one week is enough when you’ve had a summer like our commuters have,” Murphy said. “But it’s an acknowledgement – a thank you to our hundreds of thousands of customers. A tip of the hat – a graceful end to the summer.”
The state’s business leaders are reacting to the news. Of course, NJ Transit’s finances were at the center of the budget dispute that led to the implementation of the new corporate transit fee, which the business community opposed.
“We understand the benevolent spirit with which Governor Murphy announced the fare waiver for NJ Transit. But less than two months after the end of a debate over the agency’s dire financial situation and the need for the business community to come to its aid, the question is, which is better – a fare waiver or keeping the money to fix NJ Transit’s financial problems? We would have preferred the latter,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, in a statement.
“We understand the challenges NJ Transit riders face with a 15% fare increase,” said Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, in a statement. “However, granting this fare exemption immediately after a massive corporate tax increase to support NJ Transit’s budget woes sends a frustrating message and completely ignores the recent blow our business community has just taken in terms of competitiveness.”
Siekerka said New Jersey businesses are demanding fair treatment.
“Today’s announcement unfortunately smacks of injustice to New Jersey’s business community.”
