NJ Transit Proposing Fare Hikes and Service Cuts

New_Jersey_Transit_train_5427_enters_PlainfieldBrace yourself for more New Jersey Transit charges. The proposed fare hikes announced this week average about nine percent. The changes are scheduled to take effect in September and October.

A one-way fare between New York from Princeton Junction would increase from $14.25 to $16. A one-way fare between the Dinky Station to New York would increase from $16.50 to $17.75. A monthly pass for travel between Princeton Junction and New York would increase from $414 to $451. A monthly pass for travel between the Dinky Station to New York would increase from $458 to $499. A one-way bus fare between Princeton and Trenton would increase from $2.55 to $2.75. A monthly bus pass for travel between Princeton and Trenton would increase from $76 to $83.

New Jersey Transit will hold nine public hearings and one information session to allow the public the opportunity to learn more about the proposed fare increases and service changes and offer comments before the plan is considered by the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors on July 8. The first public meeting will be held Saturday, May 16.

The cuts would eliminate the 655 bus between Princeton and the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

New Jersey Transit has cited the rising costs of contract services such as paratransit services for people with disabilities, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and private carriers , healthcare and benefits, liability insurance, workers’ compensation and pensions as reasons for the fare increases. In 2010 New Jersey Transit hiked fares by about 25 percent.

New Jersey Transit has cut more than $40 million from the budget, but officials say the agency still faces a budget gap of approximately $60 million for the 2016 fiscal year.

To submit comments about the proposed fare hike and service cuts visit njtransit.com or mail comments to Public Hearing Office care of Fare Proposal Comments, One Penn Plaza East, Newark, NJ 07105. The online public comment period expires at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 21.

The full list of scheduled public hearings is available online.

5 Comments

  1. Monthly pass from Princeton Junction to NYC rises by 8.9%. From Princeton (Dinky) to NYC, 9.5% rise. You see where this is going? Just part of The Masterplan.

  2. We need to rally to save the 655! I live in the neighborhood by the former Princeton hospital site and take this bus to medical appointments at phc. The 655 route was implemented to mitigate the impact of the hospital move on those Princeton residents who may not have ability or means to drive a car out to the new site where many medical offices have moved (and where the chop pediatric specialty practices are now located). I urge and hope that residents and our elected reps will rally to save this route!

    1. I agree with you 100% but I would also point out that there is a Princeton U. TigerTransit service that goes from Princeton Rail station to UMCPP. The ride takes 17 mins and is free to local residents. You can find a timetable by searching for ‘Forrestal/PPPL line’. Maybe not as convenient as the 655, but at least it’s an option.

      1. Thank you for the information about the Tiger Transit service however I am unable to independently (without assistance of car) make it to the current location of the Princeton Rail station to catch that bus. I was barely able to make it over to the old Dinky station location in a timely manner, but just could, but with the new configuration, the grade, pathway and stairway logistics, especially on the return trip, make this an unfeasible option for me for timely and independent transportation to the medical center.

      2. isn’t Tiger Transit limited or even stopped during University breaks and summer? residents need to get to the hospital doesn’t necessarily conform to the academic calendar.

Comments are closed.