“Let’s be realistic”: Riding with NJ Transit
In our series “Lets Get Real,” we look at the ongoing problems at NJ Transit. FOX 5 NY’s Teresa Priolo spoke to riders about some of their worst commuter experiences.
NEW JERSEY – If you’ve ever ventured on a ride on NJ Transit, you know it’s more than just a commute. It can be an adventure, and often not a fun one.
Whether it’s avoiding delays, dealing with cancellations, or simply hoping to get a seat, each journey offers a new chapter in the ongoing saga of “What could go wrong today?”
“I know I’m going to be late, it’s just an expectation now,” said Molly, a commuter who FOX 5 NY“Even if you take the earlier trains, you’ll get stuck somewhere.”
And then there is the issue of the 15% fare increase.
“You have to laugh or you’ll go crazy,” said Molly.
FOX 5 NY decided to see for ourselves how bad the transit system is and hopped on the Northeast Corridor Line, which is notorious for its frequent delays. Surprisingly, the train left on time, but that didn’t stop other commuters from telling us horror stories.
“I think there have been a lot of delays lately because of the heat,” said another commuter. “I don’t really know why.”
“We’re usually half an hour or an hour late at least once a week,” said one man. “If I have a meeting, I make sure to arrive an hour early.”
If we’ve learned anything about NJ Transit from riders, it’s that the service is completely unpredictable. One day it can be great, and the next day, or even the next minute, your one-hour ride can take two or even three hours.
