How 14 groups are joining forces to oppose NJ Transit fare hike

Their message is that NJ Transit’s proposed 9 percent fare hike affects more than just commuters. And they want state lawmakers to work on the bigger issue of transportation funding, which the group contends led to the fare hike and service cut proposals."We’re drawing attention to the fact that fare hikes affect a lot of diverse groups, not just commuters, said Janna Chernetz, Tri-State Transportation Campaign Senior New Jersey Policy analyst.

The New Jersey for Transit group brings 14 organizations together, which cover poverty, working family, environmental and transportation issues. The group plans to deal with the short term fare hike and the larger issue of finding revenues to fund transportation adequately, said Jon Whitten, New Jersey Policy Perspective deputy director.

“This effort is about organizations coming together rather than just organizations representing commuters,” Whiten said. “I saw a need for a lot of organizations that I cross paths with to get engaged on the issue.”

While the fare increase and service cuts are the immediate issue, the group plans to be around to tackle the bigger issue of how transportation is funded. The statesTransportation Trust Fund runs out of revenue for projects and even to cover its debt next year.

“We oppose the fare hike, but they’re part of a bigger transportation funding problem in New Jersey,” Chernetz said. “That’s what needs to be resolved instead of fixing it on the shoulders of riders.”

The group has formed a week before NJ Transit is scheduled to hold public hearings about the fare increase and service cuts, which would be voted on in July and implemented in the fall.

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