Assembly Budget Committee Chair Gary Schaer (D-Bergen/Passaic) denounced the decision by NJ Transit to increase fares and reduce service as a means to bridge a budget gap, which he said will hurt working people in New Jersey who rely on public transportation.
Schaer released the following statement in response to NJ Transit’s 9 percent fare increase & service reductions approval to close $56-million gap in the agency’s budget.
“Once again, the working people of New Jersey fall victim to the governor’s transit policies and fiscal gimmicks.
Confronting delays and equipment failures on a routine basis, now riders will have to pay more for the inconvenience. This hurts those who rely on NJ Transit, especially low wage earners who will be disproportionally affected.
Asking people to pay more for not just reduced, but subpar service is unacceptable. The governor’s continued silence on the depleted Transportation Trust Fund compromises the economic rejuvenation of the state. With less financial support from the state, NJ Transit has become more dependent on fares to cover costs and here is the result.
The governor can talk all he wants about no new taxes, but with this fare hike, his administration has effectively levied a tax against the people of New Jersey.”
[TLS]
So he’s a congressman – he represents the people of the state – why don’t he do something about it? He denounces it but doesn’t do anything. A “fine” representative of the people he is.
So who does he suggest pay for it ? People that are not using the service at all ???
The money has to come from somewhere. It’s reality if you buy more you pay more sales tax so why if you use more of the transit should you not pay more tax. Yes tax just like Obama care is a tax