State Lawmakers Call for 30 Pages of Reforms at New Jersey Transit - NJ Spotlight
Extensive recommendations include more commuters on agency's board of directors, targeted focus groups for fare hikes, closer state oversight
From article, (Gov. Phil Murphy is calling for an overhaul of New Jersey Transit, ordering up a comprehensive financial audit and announcing an experienced transportation specialist will take over the troubled agency. Now, state lawmakers are backing him up, advancing legislation that calls for a full 30 pages of major reforms.
Among the many significant policy changes that would be made under the legislation, which is receiving bipartisan support, is an overhaul of NJ Transit's board of directors to enhance the influence of regular commuters and transportation advocates.
The measure would also force NJ Transit to hold more public hearings, particularly in areas that would be impacted by any proposed fare hikes. It would also create a new passenger-advisory panel, a position of chief ethics officer, and enhance legislative oversight of the agency and its finances.
Assemblyman John McKeon, a primary sponsor of the bill, said the raft of proposed reforms were inspired by a series of legislative oversight hearings that he led along with Sen. Robert Gordon (D-Bergen) in the wake of a fatal rail accident that occurred at Hoboken Terminal in 2016.
Among the many policy changes proposed in the reform bill is language that would make it easier for lawmakers to compel NJ Transit officials to appear before them. It would also require agency officials to turn over key internal documents to lawmakers upon request.
The measure would also increase the roster of public members on New Jersey Transit's board of directors from four to eight, which would bring the board to 12 members, up from eight. Transportation-advocacy organizations would also get more say in the selection of board members, with new requirements for commuting experience added.
The bill would also establish that a minimum of 10 public meetings be held by the board annually. And if a fare hike or major change in service is proposed, the legislation would require a series of public hearings to be held, including in areas that would be directly impacted by the new rates. Regular audits of the agency's finances would also be required, along with the reporting of detailed information about agency personnel and salaries. NJ Transit would also be forced to distribute multiyear budget documents to the leaders of the respective transportation panels in the Assembly and Senate.)
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