New Jersey Transit is offering free rides now through Monday, September 2.
Anyone who has already purchased an August monthly ticket will automatically receive a 25% discount on their September monthly ticket.
Obai Ahmad normally spends about $100 a week because he travels to New York City four days a week for his internship, so he was relieved to hear about the travel vacation.
“I think the fares are usually too high anyway, so when I saw this I thought they had a good initiative,” said Ahmad.
Both he and Sele Enahoro took the bus from the Old Bridge park-and-ride stop to Manhattan.
“I’m going to the US Open. I’ve worked there for the last four years,” Enahoro said. “I take the bus and train because that’s the easiest way for me to get there. I don’t want to drive several hours.”
Brianna Coffey also traveled by train to the US Open in New York City.
“My husband works there, so I’m lucky enough to be able to go and hang out there during the day. It’s really fun,” Coffey said.
Joe Elefante, who traveled to North Jersey by train for work, plans to take advantage of the free travel options throughout the week.
“It’s a good way to give back, but we need to fund the infrastructure,” said Elefante. “China and Japan have fantastic rail systems that can get you to your destination quickly. If we invest in our infrastructure, we can get to Chicago in less than three hours. I know people don’t like to hear about taxes and things like that, but we have to believe in our rail system.”
Elefante regularly spends $50 to $100 a week on public transportation.
NJ Transit says it is aware of all the service issues and impacts customers have experienced over the past few months.
NJ Transit, meanwhile, has increased equipment inspections on platforms to improve service, and Amtrak has increased its efforts to inspect and repair its overhead wires, signaling systems and substations along the Northeast Corridor. The governor added that they are working with Amtrak to investigate and fix the problems that arose this summer.
