TRENTON, N.J. — The president of the New Jersey Senate has announced creation of a select committee to investigate NJ Transit service, soon after the transit agency’s CEO indicated fare hikes might be possible and just days after a New York Times article branding one NJ Transit offering as “the worst commuter train in America.”
In a press release, Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat, said he would chair the committee. It will include three other Democrats — majority leader Loretta Weinberg, deputy majority leader Sandra Cunningham, and transportation committee chair Patrick Diegnan — as well as Republicans Tom Kean, Kip Bateman, and Kristin Corrado.
Sweeney said in the release that “the failure to turn around NJ Transit hurts our economic growth, tax base, housing values and the quality of life of over a million commuters and their families. NJ Transit’s record of service cancellations, delays and breakdowns is inexcusable, its long-term planning is non-existent, and it is already laying the groundwork for a fare hike next summer.”
NorthJersey.com reports that the committee would likely begin work in late November or early December, after upcoming elections. It also reported that NJ Transit spokeswoman said in an email that the agency looks forward to working with the legislature, while noting recent work on implementing positive train control, training engineers, and advancing capital projects.
The Sept. 27 New York Times article cited NJ Transit’s train No. 2606, a morning North Jersey Coast Train from Long Branch to Hoboken, as the worst train in light of its 18 cancellations so far this year. Weinberg cited the article in her press-release comment suggesting NJ Transit needs increased funding support.
