NJ Transit Needs More Money to Get Moving 

For Immediate Release

May 9, 2019

Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100

NJ Transit Needs More Money to Get Moving 

Senate Budget and Appropriations will be holding a hearing on the FY 2020 State Budget: Department of Transportation/NJ Transit/ Motor Vehicle Commission. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club released the following statement:

“We are not going to turn the corner unless we find a long-term source of funding for NJ Transit. Otherwise the wheels will just come off again. Their budget is based on stealing Clean energy funds and capital. NJ Transit increased their operating budget by $25 million but since salaries went up by $35 million, the budget is now at a deficit of $10 million. A majority of the increase NJ Transit’s budget is  because they are taking $80 million from the Clean Energy Fund.  Our transit system would have seen major cuts if it weren’t for the consistent robbing of Clean Energy money. At the same time, the agency is taking $460 million out of its capital for operations. This hurts capital improvements. It could be better spent towards electric buses or extending rail services and rail lines. This is robbing our future, which will cause more problems later.

“The budget increase for NJ Transit is just 1 percent. A $25 million increase is not going to stop the NJ Transit nightmare. We are trying to reform the system and make things better, but taking out resources is inconsistent. The small amount of money for NJ Transit budget will tie their hands when it comes to making reforms, improvements, hiring new people, or adding any new routes or programs. Given the agency’s need, the slight increase in funding is nothing. NJ Transit needs a long-term funding source.

 “New Jersey is the second biggest commuter railroad in the nation and was once a national model until Governor Christie and Governor Murphy cut its budget nine years in a row. The funding approach to NJ Transit is unsustainable and will make it more difficult to start rebuilding our transit system from the inside out and wake up NJ Transit riders from their nightmare of a commute. Diverting funds for capital improvements has hurt our economy and businesses, caused people will be delayed and get to work late, while worsening our air quality problems. We are also concerned that fares will raise as NJ Transit comes up with a funding source.

“The Clean Energy diversion is also another regressive tax. This Fund is meant to support projects that make our homes more resilient such as weatherization, along with energy efficiency and green jobs. Yet, ever since Christie has been Governor, the Clean Energy Fund has become the state’s ATM. This has become a hidden energy tax on consumers. Instead of using this money for the environment and creating jobs, it is used to plug budget holes.

“In January, NJ Transit purchased 8 electric buses along with 85 new articulated buses that will be delivered over the next two years. They need to move forward on buying electric buses for their pilot buses. NJ Transit must also cancel contracts for the hundreds of fossil fuel buses and replace them with electric ones. The technology is there, and prices are coming down. They should target acquisition first in urban areas that have receive a disproportionate share of pollution, especially minority and low-income communities.

“We need to come up with a funding source for operations in order to make our transit system better. If we don’t make improvements to our rail system, we could have a disaster.  Our budget is going in the wrong direction. New Jersey cannot keep robbing the future to pay for the current. This is basically taking money that is set aside for you mortgage to pay for groceries and your electric bill.”