| Three weeks after New Jersey’s congressional delegation met with NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett and Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, the state Assembly’s Transportation Committee heard the same dismissive assurances: that NJ Transit’s problems aren’t as severe as they seem.
Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips wasn’t convinced and called for a second, more in-depth hearing focused on fixing the problem after the Murphy administration limited the hearing.
“It was a rushed formality, taking less time than commuters waste each day standing on freezing platforms waiting for canceled trains,” DePhillips said (R-Bergen). “Commuters deserve real solutions, not empty promises from officials who seem out of touch with the real frustrations NJ Transit causes.”
Lawmakers’ questions were limited and asked not to make statements. The hearing, which started late and lasted just over an hour, saw the CEOs begin their remarks only after a roll call and pledge of allegiance. Notably, Franck Beaumin, NJ Transit’s new customer advocate, wasn’t invited to testify.
“The only obvious development that came out of the hearing, after listening to the non-answers, is that New Jersey Transit needs new leadership,” continued DePhillips. “The legislature has a responsibility to take a scalpel to the agency, including a full independent audit.”
Gov. Phil Murphy and NJ Transit raised fares by 15% this year, and set 3% hikes annually starting next year. This came after the agency said it received 87,000 complaints and comments last year. Riders’ complaints are loud and clear, and consistently reported. One rider even wrote an open letter to Murphy on their experience causing mental health problems.
In June, Amtrak and NJ Transit released a joint plan for immediate action and the August report identified specific problems and projects. They release joint reports regularly to identify problems and priority projects.
“Riders deserve a legitimate legislative hearing. This wasn’t it,” concluded DePhillips. |
