Newark – Governor Phil Murphy today highlighted some of the benefits that additional state investment in NJ TRANSIT will provide for hundreds of thousands of bus riders statewide.  The commitment includes additional bus operators and improvements in on-time performance.  For the first time in a decade, the transit system will have funding to provide targeted relief on some of the most crowded bus routes.  In his Fiscal Year 2019 budget proposal, Governor Murphy announced plans for an additional $242 million for a more customer-friendly transit system.

“For far too long, NJ TRANSIT bus customers have had to face some harsh challenges in their daily commute to and from work,” said Governor Murphy. “Today, I am pleased to announce we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to turn NJT around with improvements that will minimize delays, alleviate overcrowding, and invest in workforce capital to support bus services and enhanced customer service.”

Governor Murphy made the announcement at NJ TRANSIT’s Bus Central Maintenance Facility in Newark today where he encouraged residents to consider these job opportunities, including becoming bus operators.  The 172-percent funding increase for Fiscal Year 2019 is part of Governor Murphy’s commitment to restoring the transportation agency to the national model it once was – without asking customers to pay more at the farebox.

“Investing in New Jersey Transit is more than investing in rail,” NJ Transit Chair and NJDOT Acting Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “More than half a million commuters use NJ Transit buses each weekday and these initiatives will help improve on-time performance and provide added flexibility for our bus commuters.”

“Thanks to the Governor’s focus on transportation, the resources in this budget allow us to address issues in a number of areas for our bus customers, who make up the largest segment of NJ TRANSIT’s operations,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “Providing targeted additional capacity and improved performance is the foundation for an improved customer experience.”

“On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans who ride our buses and have had to put up with deteriorating service for nearly a decade…..Thank you Governor Murphy!” said Senator Patrick Diegnan.

“With this announcement, Governor Murphy is making good on his commitment to fix NJ Transit,” stated Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman Dan Benson. “By addressing overcrowding on popular bus routes, he takes another step in improving the quality of life for our daily commuters. I applaud his action on this issue and look forward to working with him on further necessary improvements.”

The investments in NJ TRANSIT bus service include:

• The addition of 40 more budgeted operator positions.  Those interested in becoming a NJ TRANSIT bus operator can visit www.njtransit.com/drive for more information
• Targeted relief of overcrowding on specific bus routes with the fastest growing ridership:

1. Bergen County: River Road corridor includes bus routes 156, 158, 159
2. Hudson County: Hoboken bus routes include 126, 123
3. Union County: Bus routes include 113, 114

• On-time performance (OTP) enhancements encompass the adjustment of running times with additional buses where needed to better sync bus arrivals with scheduled time points resulting in an improved customer experience at the bus stop level.
• Additional flexibility to mitigate effects of external factors such as road construction projects.

The Governor’s budget proposal also makes investments throughout NJ TRANSIT, including an additional 114 staff, replacing non-recurring “one-shot” funding by the former administration and correcting a structural passenger revenue shortfall caused by using unrealistic annual passenger revenue assumptions.