What happens when New Jersey fails to invest in public transportation and identify new revenue sources? Service cuts.
Yesterday, NJ Transit announced plans to end or reduce service on 11 bus routes on the grounds of low ridership or unnecessary system redundancy.
The route changes, which will be the subject of two public hearings in June, would affect roughly 3,200 bus riders. According to NJ Transit, approximately 100 of these would be left with no transit alternative, while the others would need to catch a different bus or add a transfer to reach their destination (or both).
NJ Transit says that the proposed cuts would save the system $3.1 million annually. In turn, $1 million would be invested into new projects, including 24-hour bus service in the area between Newark Penn Station, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Elizabeth.
Despite the improvements, a service cut is still a service cut, especially when some transit riders will be left with no alternative or a longer commute.
For details on the bus changes, click here.
NJT turned down an additional 12 million in revenue from advertising not so long ago, they gave the contract to a firm who has been handling the account for far to long. Then while the rfp was under protest they extended the contract with this company for an additional term. This company also handles advertising for Coach and other bus companies in NJ and does not share the revenue from advertising with NJT or New Jersey, but they fail to see the conflict. Any company selling advertising space for NJT should have a sole focus on NJT not on competing inventory, but I guess if you already said no to an additional 12 million what’s a little more. I’m sure they have many other examples of turning down revenue and sacrificing service.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/coming-soon-nj-transit-considering-corporate-naming-rights.php
Gov Christie is continuing to waste billions on more highways which is a total disaster and will not be sustainable in the age of Peak Oil and climate change. Last weekend we had to drive to a Beach House we won on Long Beach Island and encountered an hour of 20 MPH traffic on the GSP even before Memorial Day has arrived going both directions. There COULD be a Rail connection to Bay Head but nothing to LBI or Atlantic City along the coast. Yet there are already 10 lanes on the GSP! When will New Jersey wise up and put Rails down the GSP and also across to LBI?
The endless highway expansion is obviously a very expensive failure.
This is not primarily a NJ Transit problem it is a Dept of Transportation problem as it continues to waste huge amounts on Auto Addiction instead of Green Transit. $7 Billion for GSP/ NJ Turnpike expansion – what a WASTE!
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[…] Inadequate state support for public transportation has forced NJ Transit to raise fares in 2010, cut bus routes this year, and scale back fringe benefits for non-union employees to make ends meet. A […]