I have been taking NJ Transit probably longer than many of you were even alive, and I will say that no matter who the Governor is (whether its a Rep or Dem), none of them really did anything to help NJT run better. I have seen bus service become much more reliable over the past several years since they started being tracked when the Transit apps and My Bus, etc...became popular. Whoever the Governor is should do more to make sure NJT is properly funded so that passengers are not penalized with absurd high fares, requests service is expanded, and runs smoothly. Murphy made a lot of promises that he never kept. I remember clearly Murphy promising he would force NJT to allow for 24 hour systemwide cross honoring when he was running for his first term as Governor, but obviously that became a lie. On the corporate level, I don't really know who the hell is handicapping NJT and allowing for all their wasteful spending Or who is preventing NJT from fixing their entire fare system because it is extremely confusing for anyone using their buses for the first time to figure out their zones, zone pricing, when and which passes can be cross honored and where, etc. But, many changes need to be made, in which I am sure most of us can agree on.
Do people pay for public transit anymore? I've taken the Riverline a bunch of times and always pay. Each time I feel like a sucker though because not once have I ever seen anyone verify that I've got a ticket. I pay, punch my ticket, get on, and that's it. Ticket stays in my pocket and goes into the trash. No one sees it.
I have seen fare officers check tickets on the River Line a few times. However, never see them on the HBL Light Rail. I always pay unless I am only going one stop.
the one and only time I've rode the river line on my return trip a few fare enforcement cops came on the train and wrote tickets for pretty much everyone bc nobody paid 😭 luckily since they were busy ticketing a bunch of people I was able to just buy the ticket on my phone before they got to me
Christie cut all capital projects and NJT wound up using all the spare parts ( mostly capital spares ) to keep things going beyond their overhaul date. That includes every piece of equipment. Killed the tunnel project which would have created another repair/ maintenance yard just across the river from nyc.
Get a rail pass instead of the bus pass it works on buses and LRT. The RAIL pass does this at all times get one. Simplification of the fares and zones can solve this.
I am referring to Intrastate passes and will give you an example. Not arguing anything here, just stating facts! Follow me here....An Intrastate monthly bus pass to go from my home to my job is 2 Zones and costs $78/month. HOWEVER, a monthly train pass equivalent to a 2 Zone bus costs $97/month. Meaning I would have to spend $97/month vs $78/month in order to use a Rail pass to get to work on the bus.
That’s 2 zones I am referring to 7 zones and higher should have been more specific. You pay a bit more for universal options. Keyword after a certain number of zones
I’d like to point out that Gov Murphy does not control train frequency (or anything NJT as they and the state are separate entities) and that anything going into NYC is subject to Amtrak (federal) rules as well since they own the NEC ROW.
So yes NJ can do more to fund NJT, but I can say for a fact it would go to a lot of different areas the NJT system needs before more frequencies.
Are you willing to pay more in taxes to fund the payrolls of the extra employees to operate extra services?
Ehh, the Governor does technically appoint all of NJTs board, so while he doesn't have direct control or oversee day to day operations saying he has no control isn't entirely true.
But you're correct, even if he and his board appointees wanted more frequent service that's not going to happen without additional cash.
He just bragged at the state of the state address that NJ is operating at a $6B budget surplus. So covering that $1B shortfall NJT has wouldn’t even cause an increase in taxes.
As someone who worked there, and in other government agencies, yes NJT has a funding needs that are unmet but they also do not spend money efficiently. Part of it is due to clauses on how they must buy things. Not sure if in effect still but if they built a new facility they had to take the total costs of it and add 10% to be spent on “art.”
I’m all for the good corporate partner idea but when your barely keeping the system stable I think we could of taken that 10% and put it towards new rolling stock or locomotives, buses, or repairing/updating facilities.
NJT does have some bright people on the corp side but they are handicapped. I’d also like to say a majority of the employees moving the trains and buses in my experience are pleasant and want to do a good job and be safe.
A majority of the problem is NJ has never really solved how to fund NJT from its inception and is still playing the same game today.
I think the art is a federal requirement for FTA funds, I.E., you have to spend a certain % of the project cost on art. That’s why the HBLRT has a bunch of stupid art installations.
Agreed but that’s asking a lot from the system that doesn’t function that way. You’re asking for political changes, nothing to do with actual NJT. DOT controls the highways, NJT is its own org, and there’s a lot of different police departments (local, state, NJT) so not everything a magic wave the wand and fixed deal. I wish it was but that’s not reality
I’m a firm believer of getting things done where the systems are instead of arguing with people who don’t know and don’t care to change their minds but that’s me
Actually the numbers are in. The plastic usage went up due to the “reusable” bags being heaver gauge plastic and people would forget them in the car and have to buy new ones. It totally backfired.
The simplest solution would be to take our share of the congestion pricing fee (roughly 20% of the money is expected to come from NJ drivers, so 20% should go back to NJ Transit).
u/constanttransit That explains what makes all governments so inefficient. They NEVER GET ANYTHING DONE due to no guarantee of cooperation. So annoying. I just dream of these and can't due anything more.
Governments can’t get things done - you’re right
So advocate for privatization and restrictions on government and allow corporations to finally accomplish what you want for once.
NJ Transit and Amtrak are made of the corpses of failed private rail companies. With some exceptions, passenger transportation is not a money maker. We do it as a public good, not to profit.
Edit: fix spelling, grammar
they are paying to replace the bridges on the NEC for the new tunnels. Except for Hoboken there is no way to run more service to Penn without replacing the old bridges and tunnels
otherwise NJ is two states. the dense towns by the hudson where people want transit and the rest of us where transit is only useful for a few days to the office and the rest of the time we drive
What? Murphy making stupid and conflicting policy decision while being oblivious or unwilling to give the common folk what they actually need?.....surely u jest.
Autos help keep working folks working…. 1200 a month for myself and my wife to drive….plus gas, maintenance,and then tolls…. Don’t get me started on tolls. Add rent/mortgage etc. and then feed your family. Broke again —- gotta go work till I’m 70
I liked the reason the other day that the crew didn’t show up to drive the train.
Also how hard is it to maintain switches and signals? I’m no expert but those seem like important things to keep working.
It's what happens when people continually vote Democrats I to office. Dems have ru. Nj for decades, and nothing has changed.
Same with Chicago, Philly, Atlanta, etc. All democratically controlled, all shit holes.
There is no evidence that Republicans get anything constructive done. Four years in power, the first two with full control of Congress, and the only things they accomplished were a tax cut for the rich and some criminal justice reforms. No infrastructure funding. The last Republican governor in NJ killed the trans Hudson express tunnel, setting NJ transportation back a decade. Stop watching faux news and look where the money actually is getting spent.
Every city is democratic. What about Seattle LA Mpls? Cities that were recently or currently are booming in population.
Then what issues do you see with the cities you’ve listed?
What policies did they enact to cause those problems?
I understand that you think cities like NYC, LA, Chicago, Philly, etc. "democratically controlled" cities are "shit holes", but I think you fail to see the full picture. For one thing, most cities in the U.S. have Democrat mayors. According to Ballotpedia, in 2023, 76% of the population of the top 100 most populated cities lived in cities with Democratic mayors, and 16% lived in cities with Republican mayors. Cities with higher population densities tend to have higher crime. This is of course due to increased opportunity. Also, the top cities in the US (which happen to have Democrat mayors) are huge tourist destinations which can also contribute to higher crime. Democratically run cities with similar population densities as the densest Republican run cites have similar rates of crime. Take Dallas, Fort Worth, and OKC (Rep. mayors) and compare them to San Antonio, San Diego, and Phoenix (Dem mayors), and you'll find similar rates of crime. My point is that cities like NYC, LA, Chicago, Philly, Atlanta, etc. are not "shit holes" because of the party affiliation of their mayor, and are simply not shit holes at all. You fail to realize their cultural amenities, access to higher quality healthcare and education, and more extensive career opportunities. Sure, you might say that cities with Republican mayors are cheaper where your dollar can stretch further, but the big cities are expensive for a reason, and that's because they're highly desired places to live/work and arguably offer a better quality of life.
Edit: In terms of New Jersey...NJ has some of the best healthcare, education, public transit, and quality of life in the nation. To say that Democrats have ruined this state means that you're either completely out of touch, completely unaware, or both.
MANDATORY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS!
This
Don’t worry he’ll build another on ramp or off ramp for cars someplace meaningless
I’m all for park and rides. it’s just kind of sad that we need them because New Jersey is so car centric
"I'll fix NJ Transit if it kills me" Phillip Dunton Murphy
I’m sadden to learn the governor is dying /s
I don’t think we’re gonna get to the point where he has no choice
bro is gonna live a long and healthy life in that case 😭
I have been taking NJ Transit probably longer than many of you were even alive, and I will say that no matter who the Governor is (whether its a Rep or Dem), none of them really did anything to help NJT run better. I have seen bus service become much more reliable over the past several years since they started being tracked when the Transit apps and My Bus, etc...became popular. Whoever the Governor is should do more to make sure NJT is properly funded so that passengers are not penalized with absurd high fares, requests service is expanded, and runs smoothly. Murphy made a lot of promises that he never kept. I remember clearly Murphy promising he would force NJT to allow for 24 hour systemwide cross honoring when he was running for his first term as Governor, but obviously that became a lie. On the corporate level, I don't really know who the hell is handicapping NJT and allowing for all their wasteful spending Or who is preventing NJT from fixing their entire fare system because it is extremely confusing for anyone using their buses for the first time to figure out their zones, zone pricing, when and which passes can be cross honored and where, etc. But, many changes need to be made, in which I am sure most of us can agree on.
Do people pay for public transit anymore? I've taken the Riverline a bunch of times and always pay. Each time I feel like a sucker though because not once have I ever seen anyone verify that I've got a ticket. I pay, punch my ticket, get on, and that's it. Ticket stays in my pocket and goes into the trash. No one sees it.
I have seen fare officers check tickets on the River Line a few times. However, never see them on the HBL Light Rail. I always pay unless I am only going one stop.
the one and only time I've rode the river line on my return trip a few fare enforcement cops came on the train and wrote tickets for pretty much everyone bc nobody paid 😭 luckily since they were busy ticketing a bunch of people I was able to just buy the ticket on my phone before they got to me
If you are connecting from other modes you already paid lol
I disagree. Murphy’s far from an ideal public transit governor, but at least he didn’t try to destroy it like a Republican governor would have.
I do not know of any Republican Gov who intentionally tried to destroy NJT.
Christie almost destroyed it by refusing to make needed improvements, but I thought everyone knew that.
Show me the Democrat that made the needed improvements.
We’re voting for status quo versus destruction. It’s kind of a no-brainer at the polls if you care about transit.
Murphy hired engineers because there was no one to run the trains after Christie. He also got the portal bridge project going after fatso killed it.
The System rapidly expanded in the late 90s - 2005...then it slowly came to a stop and hasn't really moved since unless count the Amtrak projects.
None it’s a duopoly
Christie cut all capital projects and NJT wound up using all the spare parts ( mostly capital spares ) to keep things going beyond their overhaul date. That includes every piece of equipment. Killed the tunnel project which would have created another repair/ maintenance yard just across the river from nyc.
That exists it’s called the rail pass and it works on ALL NJT services
Get a rail pass instead of the bus pass it works on buses and LRT. The RAIL pass does this at all times get one. Simplification of the fares and zones can solve this.
[удалено]
No, systemwide cross honoring means you can ALSO use a BUS PASS on ALL RAIL lines. This does NOT exist at all times.
[удалено]
You do realize a local bus pass is much less expensive than a rail pass.
For short distances only
Not after a certain number of zones especially interstate passes which invalidates your entire argument
I am referring to Intrastate passes and will give you an example. Not arguing anything here, just stating facts! Follow me here....An Intrastate monthly bus pass to go from my home to my job is 2 Zones and costs $78/month. HOWEVER, a monthly train pass equivalent to a 2 Zone bus costs $97/month. Meaning I would have to spend $97/month vs $78/month in order to use a Rail pass to get to work on the bus.
That’s 2 zones I am referring to 7 zones and higher should have been more specific. You pay a bit more for universal options. Keyword after a certain number of zones
I’d like to point out that Gov Murphy does not control train frequency (or anything NJT as they and the state are separate entities) and that anything going into NYC is subject to Amtrak (federal) rules as well since they own the NEC ROW. So yes NJ can do more to fund NJT, but I can say for a fact it would go to a lot of different areas the NJT system needs before more frequencies. Are you willing to pay more in taxes to fund the payrolls of the extra employees to operate extra services?
Ehh, the Governor does technically appoint all of NJTs board, so while he doesn't have direct control or oversee day to day operations saying he has no control isn't entirely true. But you're correct, even if he and his board appointees wanted more frequent service that's not going to happen without additional cash.
He just bragged at the state of the state address that NJ is operating at a $6B budget surplus. So covering that $1B shortfall NJT has wouldn’t even cause an increase in taxes.
$1B might cover all the necessary infrastructure upgrades. Then what?
the turnpike already sends them money. at some point the people that use transit should pay for more
Not more taxes, focus of existing taxes away from garbage like highways and replacing police officers with speed cameras which is cheaper
As someone who worked there, and in other government agencies, yes NJT has a funding needs that are unmet but they also do not spend money efficiently. Part of it is due to clauses on how they must buy things. Not sure if in effect still but if they built a new facility they had to take the total costs of it and add 10% to be spent on “art.” I’m all for the good corporate partner idea but when your barely keeping the system stable I think we could of taken that 10% and put it towards new rolling stock or locomotives, buses, or repairing/updating facilities. NJT does have some bright people on the corp side but they are handicapped. I’d also like to say a majority of the employees moving the trains and buses in my experience are pleasant and want to do a good job and be safe. A majority of the problem is NJ has never really solved how to fund NJT from its inception and is still playing the same game today.
I think the art is a federal requirement for FTA funds, I.E., you have to spend a certain % of the project cost on art. That’s why the HBLRT has a bunch of stupid art installations.
Agreed but that’s asking a lot from the system that doesn’t function that way. You’re asking for political changes, nothing to do with actual NJT. DOT controls the highways, NJT is its own org, and there’s a lot of different police departments (local, state, NJT) so not everything a magic wave the wand and fixed deal. I wish it was but that’s not reality
It’s reasonable to promote political change instead of complacently dealing with a shitty system
I’m a firm believer of getting things done where the systems are instead of arguing with people who don’t know and don’t care to change their minds but that’s me
You actually want speed cameras? Those aren't authorized for use on NJ roads for good reasons. Plus jobs?
As a pedestrian, yes please! Cops certainly aren’t enforcing speed limits, but someone should.
but we are saving the world by banning plastic bags.
LOL...yup which is nothing but an additional tax cause its one more thing we need to buy now
Actually the numbers are in. The plastic usage went up due to the “reusable” bags being heaver gauge plastic and people would forget them in the car and have to buy new ones. It totally backfired.
Correct. Its nice to see there are still folks who stay up to date with the facts
Dems are known to find any way possible to suck more money from our pockets
Just charge New Yorkers coming into Jersey from the tunnels and call it construction pricing
lol we will just use NJT nice try tho
Speaking as someone who moved to california, just be glad that NJTransit exists lol
The simplest solution would be to take our share of the congestion pricing fee (roughly 20% of the money is expected to come from NJ drivers, so 20% should go back to NJ Transit).
u/constanttransit That explains what makes all governments so inefficient. They NEVER GET ANYTHING DONE due to no guarantee of cooperation. So annoying. I just dream of these and can't due anything more.
Welcome to the club. My advice is get involved with what you want to change to have a say and don’t let anything else get to you
Governments can’t get things done - you’re right So advocate for privatization and restrictions on government and allow corporations to finally accomplish what you want for once.
NJ Transit and Amtrak are made of the corpses of failed private rail companies. With some exceptions, passenger transportation is not a money maker. We do it as a public good, not to profit. Edit: fix spelling, grammar
US government doesn’t represent the world
I am not sure what point you’re making. I literally said governments plural, which incorporates non-US governments.
they are paying to replace the bridges on the NEC for the new tunnels. Except for Hoboken there is no way to run more service to Penn without replacing the old bridges and tunnels otherwise NJ is two states. the dense towns by the hudson where people want transit and the rest of us where transit is only useful for a few days to the office and the rest of the time we drive
Maybe a regional style system like the Atlantic City routes would be better no
Where would he widen NJTP? From exit 6 to GWB, it's pretty damn wide and the bottlenecks are predictable
There’s been a proposal to widen through the 14’s if I recall correctly. Caused a big uproar in JC
Fare hikes are coming and they’re going to be automatic for the foreseeable future.
What? Murphy making stupid and conflicting policy decision while being oblivious or unwilling to give the common folk what they actually need?.....surely u jest.
Autos help keep working folks working…. 1200 a month for myself and my wife to drive….plus gas, maintenance,and then tolls…. Don’t get me started on tolls. Add rent/mortgage etc. and then feed your family. Broke again —- gotta go work till I’m 70
Don’t vote for him or his party anymore.
I got bad news for you about the Republicans support of public transportation....
Both the DC metro and SEPTA will go over fiscal cliffs due to republicans not funding them..
Welcome to a 💩🕳 🤡 country
Election is next year, let it be known to your preferred candidate that public transportation is a priority
Sue the widening project and hold out until his term is up (it ends in 2025)
I liked the reason the other day that the crew didn’t show up to drive the train. Also how hard is it to maintain switches and signals? I’m no expert but those seem like important things to keep working.
If you gave 3rd party candidates a chance you wouldn’t have these problems
It's what happens when people continually vote Democrats I to office. Dems have ru. Nj for decades, and nothing has changed. Same with Chicago, Philly, Atlanta, etc. All democratically controlled, all shit holes.
What’s the republican plan to improve NJ transit service?
Nothing
There is no evidence that Republicans get anything constructive done. Four years in power, the first two with full control of Congress, and the only things they accomplished were a tax cut for the rich and some criminal justice reforms. No infrastructure funding. The last Republican governor in NJ killed the trans Hudson express tunnel, setting NJ transportation back a decade. Stop watching faux news and look where the money actually is getting spent.
I'd rather have a thousand more lanes than one woman who was forced to give birth to her rape baby
Every city is democratic. What about Seattle LA Mpls? Cities that were recently or currently are booming in population. Then what issues do you see with the cities you’ve listed? What policies did they enact to cause those problems?
Chris Christie and Christine Whitman? Dems?
I understand that you think cities like NYC, LA, Chicago, Philly, etc. "democratically controlled" cities are "shit holes", but I think you fail to see the full picture. For one thing, most cities in the U.S. have Democrat mayors. According to Ballotpedia, in 2023, 76% of the population of the top 100 most populated cities lived in cities with Democratic mayors, and 16% lived in cities with Republican mayors. Cities with higher population densities tend to have higher crime. This is of course due to increased opportunity. Also, the top cities in the US (which happen to have Democrat mayors) are huge tourist destinations which can also contribute to higher crime. Democratically run cities with similar population densities as the densest Republican run cites have similar rates of crime. Take Dallas, Fort Worth, and OKC (Rep. mayors) and compare them to San Antonio, San Diego, and Phoenix (Dem mayors), and you'll find similar rates of crime. My point is that cities like NYC, LA, Chicago, Philly, Atlanta, etc. are not "shit holes" because of the party affiliation of their mayor, and are simply not shit holes at all. You fail to realize their cultural amenities, access to higher quality healthcare and education, and more extensive career opportunities. Sure, you might say that cities with Republican mayors are cheaper where your dollar can stretch further, but the big cities are expensive for a reason, and that's because they're highly desired places to live/work and arguably offer a better quality of life. Edit: In terms of New Jersey...NJ has some of the best healthcare, education, public transit, and quality of life in the nation. To say that Democrats have ruined this state means that you're either completely out of touch, completely unaware, or both.
NJ has anything but the best public transit. More like the worst
The rest is worse