Possibility Of NJ TRANSIT Fare Hike Riles Up Riders

MILBURN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The possibility of fare hikes and service cuts for NJ TRANSIT customers is causing an uproar.

The agency said Tuesday that fare increases or service "adjustments" are a possibility as it deals with an estimated $80 million budget gap.

Some riders told CBS2's Christine Sloan they're already seeing a deterioration in service and questioned why they should be asked to pay more.

Among their complaints: buses and trains are often late, officials do a poor job of communicating about delays and trains are overcrowded.

"I don't like it," rider Thiago Cavalho, who uses NJ TRANSIT to travel to school every day, said of the possible hikes.

Some commuters say a fare increase could force them to drive instead, creating more of a traffic nightmare.

Lackawanna Coalition Chairman David Alan said transit riders are bearing too much of the burden to balance budgets.

"I am so tired," he told WCBS 880's Levon Putney. "No politician ever asks that of motorists."

Alan said the last gas tax was in the late 1980s.

Other NJ TRANSIT customers, however, were somewhat understanding.

"It has to do what it has to do. I feel lucky that we get to the city every day,"said Jean Vitrano, of Millburn.

The agency said the exact amount of the possible higher fares has not yet been determined.

An NJ TRANSIT spokeswoman said pension and health benefit costs are going up. She also said there hasn't been a fare hike in five years -- but that one was a whopping 25 percent.

Agency officials say they've spent a lot of money making improvements, such as instituting MyBus, which allows riders to call or text a number to get their bus' arrival time.

"New Jersey Transit has maintained a high level of service and implemented new technology," the spokeswoman said.

But some commuters say NJ TRANSIT could certainly improve in other areas.

"Keep the buses cleaner, for one," said Alfred Simmons, of East Orange.

NJ TRANSIT said it found $40 million in savings, but despite that, fare hikes and service cuts may still be necessary.

CBSNewYork.com asked NJ TRANSIT riders on Twitter about their monthly commuting expenses.

Here are some of the responses we received:

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• NJ Transit