Tuesday, February 13, 2007
As seen in the Asbury Park Press

NEWARK -- New Jersey Transit commuters can expect a fare hike of nearly 10 percent beginning in June, with different increases for different rail and bus lines.

NJ Transit Executive Director George D. Warrington offered a more detailed breakdown of the proposed fare increase, the first since July 2005, at a meeting of the agency's board of directors today.

Pending approval from the board in April, the hike would begin on June 1 and close a budget deficit of about $60 million in the agency's proposed $1.5 billion budget.

The third fare increase since 1990 would mean about 9.6 percent on a systemwide average to accommodate expanded services, meet increased rider demand and keep up with inflation, Warrington said.

Among the changes:

-- A 9.9 percent increase for rail and interstate bus customers who ride from New Jersey to New York or Philadelphia and longer-distance buses between suburbs and urban areas.

-- A one-way ticket from Trenton to New York City would increase from $11.50 to $12.50 and the monthly pass would increase from $320 to $352.

-- The base fare on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail would increase from $1.75 to $1.90 and the base pass rise from $53 to $58.

-- Fares for the New York-Meadowlands Sports Complex bus purchased on board would increase from $5 to $6 and fares purchased from ticket windows or vending machines would increase from $4.50 to $5.

-- Local bus routes would increase 9.9 percent and base one-zone rides would increase from $1.25 to $1.35 and base one-zone passes would increase from $45 to $49 in northern New Jersey and from $41 to $45 in southern New Jersey.

Warrington said the increase would also pay for new and expanded service, such as new multilevel rail cars with more seating and additional parking spaces.

NJ Transit will hold more than a dozen public hearings in February and March, and written comments will be accepted through March 8.