MAYER URGES NJ COMMUTERS TO VOICE CONCERNS AT RUTGERS-CAMDEN HEARING ON NJ TRANSIT FARE HIKES

(GLOUCESTER) - Assemblyman David R. Mayer today urged bus and rail riders in the greater Camden and Gloucester areas to let themselves be heard at a February 28 public hearing New Jersey Transit has scheduled at Rutgers-Camden to field commuter reaction to the agency's proposed 10 percent fare hike.News from
Assemblyman Mayer

For Release:
February 27, 2007

Contact:
Assemblyman Mayer
(856) 232-6700
James Sverapa IV
(609) 292-7065

MAYER URGES NJ COMMUTERS TO VOICE CONCERNS AT RUTGERS-CAMDEN HEARING ON NJ TRANSIT FARE HIKES

(GLOUCESTER) - Assemblyman David R. Mayer today urged bus and rail riders in the greater Camden and Gloucester areas to let themselves be heard at a February 28 public hearing New Jersey Transit has scheduled at Rutgers-Camden to field commuter reaction to the agency's proposed 10 percent fare hike.

The meeting is scheduled 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, at the Rutgers-Camden Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room, 326 Penn Street (at Third & Penn Streets), Camden.

"This is a unique opportunity for South Jersey commuters to tell New Jersey transit officials their thoughts, feelings, and concerns about the proposed rate hike," said Mayer (D-Gloucester), a member of the Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee. "Mass transit users have a right to make their voices and opinions heard during these public hearings."

NJ Transit expects an estimated $60 million shortfall in their fiscal year 2008 operating budget, which would be covered by the proposed fare hike for rail and bus users. The fare increases will go to pay for expanded services to meet record ridership demands, inflation, and other key agency costs.

Under the NJ Transit proposal, bus and train fares would increase by a system-wide average of 9.6 percent. This would specifically affect certain services in the following ways:

- A one-zone full fare bus trip would increase by $0.10 - from $1.25 to $1.35;
- Intrastate bus and light rail monthly passes would be increased for the first time in five years; and
- Interstate bus and rail monthly fares would increase an average of 9.9 percent, with rail monthly passes continuing to provide unlimited travel at a 30 percent discount off the one-way full fare.

--30--