From article, (The [NJ] governor has referred to NJ Transit a "national disgrace" and vowed to make over the troubled agency. He signed an executive order in January that called for an audit the organization.NJ Transit could be a big winner in Murphy's first budget
NJ Transit, -- plagued by a drop in ridership, faced with the need to hire more workers, and under threat of a potential fare hike to keep the buses and trains on schedule -- could be a big winner in Gov. Phil Murphy's first state budget.
"We're making a major statement about funding NJ Transit," Murphy said Monday on NJ 101.5 radio, a day before he unveils his first proposed budget.
Murphy didn't elaborate on his pending announcement. The governor's office is being tightlipped on the budget before he unveils it at the Statehouse in Trenton at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Last year, then-candidate Murphy proposed what he called "multi-hundred-million-dollar proposal" to fix NJ Transit. At that time, he didn't rule out instituting a new tax as a dedicated funding source for the agency to put the brakes on fare increases.
In January, NJ Transit's executive director told lawmakers the agency needs to hire more rail, safety and maintenance employees and boost non-union employees's salaries to keep them from taking other jobs. The call for added expenses for new hires came months after NJ Transit took a $25 million hit from a cut in ridership tied to construction at Penn Station.
The squeeze has sparked speculation of a spike in fares, which would no doubt prompt fierce opposition from riders who already pay the highest fares in the nation.)
Me, "At least NJ Gov. Murphy sees there is a problem with NJ Transit, and wants to fix it!"
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