Christie: No Fare Hike For NJ TRANSIT Commuters This Year
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie says a new fare hike for NJ TRANSIT commuters won't be happening this year.
Christie spoke Wednesday on his regular radio interview show and said despite a projected $57 million budget gap for NJ TRANSIT, there won't be a fare increase.
Fares rose by about 9 percent last year because of a budget gap.
Christie said departments ask for more money every year in the budget to close gaps and that he tells them they have to find a way to close the gap.
The Republican governor also reiterated that a recently reached deal with rail union workers wouldn't result in a fare hike until at least June 2017, when the next fiscal year ends.
The deal was reached after weeks of tense negotiations between NJ TRANSIT and union workers, whose demands included wage hikes and better medical care.
The 4,000 union workers for NJ TRANSIT trains have been without a contract since 2011.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)