Lackawanna Coalition

advocating for rail passengers since 1979

Category: Budget

  • Budget Committees, March 2025

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    Webweaver

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    We attended the Tuesday, March 25th hearing in Trenton (State House) and the Wednesday, March 26th hearing in Newark (NJIT Student Center). We presented the same statement at both, differing only in the committee name on the written copy.

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  • Fare Increase Proposed

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    Sally Jane Gellert

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    As this issue went to press, we were just days away from the first hearing on NJ Transit’s announced plan for a 15% fare increase in July and a 3% annual increase thereafter. Much of our February meeting was devoted to the topic, and we were prepared to speak at some of the hearings. We…

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  • Resolved: We Call for Permanent Federal Operating Support for Transit

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    Webweaver

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    At a meeting of the Lackawanna Coalition held at Millburn, New Jersey and by telephone conference on October 25, 2021, the following resolution was adopted: WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in travel patterns in the United States, including reduced commuting on New Jersey Transit (NJT) and similar railroads that formerly served…

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  • Coalition Calls for Stable and Sufficient Funding for Operations at NJ Transit and for Community Transportation

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    David Peter Alan

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    At its regular meeting on July 27th, the Lackawanna Coalition called for secure, stable, and sufficient funding for operations at NJ Transit, as well as for community transportation in New Jersey. In doing so, we have recognized the need for appropriate funding for transit operations, to avoid future fare increases and service cuts, as NJ…

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  • Official Follow-Up Regarding NJ Transit Fare Increase

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    David Peter Alan

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    New Jersey Transit recently held a number of hearings around the State on its proposal to increase fares and cut services.  The Lackawanna Coalition opposed these proposals for several reasons.  Only transit riders are singled out for an increase, for the eighth time since user fees on motor fuels reached their current level in 1988.…

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  • Christie’s Budget Strategies Questioned

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    John Bobsin

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    New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie likes to portray himself as a fiscal conservative, but reporting by Kate Zernike in The New York Times (Oct. 30) questions this assessment, including Christie’s record on transportation issues.  In his election 4 years ago, Christie attacked his opponent, incumbent Jon Corzine, for using fiscal gimmicks to balance the budget.…

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  • Transit Pushes Pepsi

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    John Bobsin

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    Pepsi ads on NJT for the Super Bowl will earn NJT $635,000, according to reporting by Mike Frassinelli (Star-Ledger, Sept. 26).  The ad agency involved will get another $400,000 or so from the deal.  Ads will appear at multiple stations, and on the backs and sides of buses and sides of rail cars.   Digital…

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  • No NJT Fare Hike This Year

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    John Bobsin

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    On July 11, NJ Transit’s Board approved an operating budget of $1.94 billion that envisions no fare increase this year, making more than 3 years since the agency last increased fares.  The last increase, in May, 2010, averaged a whopping 22%t, including an average of 25% for heavy-rail riders—but this average hides an incredible increase…

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  • NJT Board Has Special Meeting to Expedite Repairs to Equipment and Hoboken Terminal

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    David Peter Alan

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    At a special meeting held mostly by telephone on Monday, March 4th, the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors voted to spend $20 million for repairs in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.  The largest item, $16 million, will go to Bombardier for repairs on multilevel railcars that were left in low-lying yards at Hoboken and…

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  • Coalition Calls on NJT to Overhaul Electrically-Powered Cars

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    Donald Winship

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    The Coalition has called on New Jersey Transit to overhaul the 230 electrically-powered Arrow III Electric Multiple-Unit (EMU) cars it owns and to cut back on on its purchase of multilevel cars from Bombardier.  The “Arrows” were manufactured in 1978 and were once the primary cars used on the M&E and other electrified lines at…

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