March 2024: NJ TRANSIT Fare Hike Hearings This Week
Hello neighbor,
This week we are ready to show up and speak up at the NJ TRANSIT hearings in regards to the proposed 15% fare hikes.
Take Action
NJ TRANSIT Public Hearings on Proposed Fare Raise
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Investing in transit represents the greatest opportunity we have for reducing emissions and crashes, and increasing the health, safety, equity and economic opportunity of our communities. Every New Jerseyan deserves affordable access to transit to get to work, school, and more.
There will be several public NJ TRANSIT hearings March 4-8th to oppose Governor Murphy’s proposed 15% fare hike.
Please join us on Friday, March 8, 2024, 10:00AM-12:00PM for the Hudson County hearing in Secaucus. RSVP here.
WHEN: Friday, March 8, 2024 at 9:30 AM
WHERE: Hoboken Terminal
WHAT: We will take the train to Secaucus for the hearing.
TALKING POINTS
Fund transit not highways. Burdening riders with sudden 15% fare hikes while spending $24 billion on highway widenings is unacceptable.
North America lags behind other states and countries in transit investment.
Owning a car in NJ costs more than $12,000 per year.
More than 90% of NJ to NY commuters use transit.
When NJ Transit increased bus service on the 119 on JFK, ridership increased by 52%.
The lack of frequent rider and low income fare cards, and the lack of low-cost transfers to other agencies, creates a financial burden for commuters, especially vulnerable riders.
Nearly 40% of households in Hudson County do not have access to a motor vehicle and require other ways to travel.
Your personal transit story!
Recap of Turnpike Widening "Info Session"
Thanks to everyone who showed up for the Turnpike Widening "Info Session" in Newark on Feb 27th. We got great coverage!
We expect two more information sessions to be announced, for Bayonne and Jersey City. We hope to get everyone to show up and demand that this project be put to a stop.
As a reminder, the NBHCE begins in Newark at the entrance to the Newark Bay Bridge, runs through Bayonne and Jersey City, and ends near the bottleneck at the Holland Tunnel. Phase 1 of the project will demolish the four lane Bridge and replace it with two new bridges that will double the number of lanes at a cost of more than $6 billion. The four lane portion of the NBCHE running from exits 14A to 14C will then be demolished and the new roadway will be expanded to six lanes.
PROBLEMS WITH THE PROJECT
The vastly increased number of vehicles on the NBCHE will lead to increased congestion on local streets.
The dramatically increased vehicular volume on the Turnpike and local streets will increase greenhouse gasses and toxic pollutants.
Overburdened Communities make up 72.1% of the population in the 21 census tracts closest to the Turnpike and will be disproportionately harmed by the increased traffic and air and noise pollution generated by the Expansion.
One such toxic pollutant is large particulate matter, known as PM2.5. PM2.5 is associated with premature deaths, cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma, and respiratory issues. Half of all transportation generated PM2.5 comes from brake and tire dust and thus increases with the number of vehicles on the road.
Visit The Turnpike Trap to learn more about the project.
Upcoming Events
Our online calendar is being updated frequently with community bike rides, street fairs, and more! Make sure to bookmark the page.
Worth Reading / Worth Watching
Advocates published a column asking Governor Murphy's nominee for transportation commissioner critical questions.
The 11th edition of the MUTCD was released at the end of 2023. Read a summary of the new guide that shapes our streets.
The MTA has opened public comments on congestion pricing. The comment period is open until March 11.
Our Campaigns
Sign, forward and share our active campaigns for #FixJFKBlvd, 14th St. Viaduct, Boulevard East, the Turnpike Trap and #Fix139.
Visit our advocacy groups and reach out to them. We are still looking for local leaders in West New York, Guttenberg, Secaucus, Harrison, and Kearny.
Join our Slack Workspace or browse the get involved page to find other ways to help.
Around the Hudson
Newark is developing BIKENewark and there is a new project page with information. Take the survey available in Spanish, English or Portuguese.
Harrison launched Harrison Streets for All last year. The project materials are now available on the website.
The New Jersey State Plan is being updated. The plan contains a holistic framework on how land is used and to guide future development. Residents can now participate in a survey or make public comments online.
The Greenway construction will be starting in 2024! Make sure to stay up to date here.
Rutgers and NJ TRANSIT are collaborating on a study about how different groups experience NJ TRANSIT services. The online survey questionnaire can be found here.