NJ Transit fare holiday starts today. Here's what to know about the free rides this week.
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Transit fare holiday starts Monday, with free rides on trains and buses all week long.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says the fare holiday is meant to be a "thank you" to commuters who have dealt with months of service problems. The free rides will run through Monday, Sept. 2.
Riders simply go through the fare gates, no credit card, cash or pass needed. Monthly pass holders who purchased an August pass will automatically receive a 25% discount on their September monthly pass.
"I've been commuting since '97, so to have a free week, yeah, that's a bonus," one rider said Monday.
NJ Transit fare holiday follows months of issues
The fare holiday comes as lawmakers proposed a passenger bill of rights, called the All Aboard Act. Lawmakers say it would refund commuters if trains are canceled or delayed by at least three hours.
NJ Transit also implemented a 15% fare hike -- its first in nearly a decade -- back in July.
Riders have faced several delays and cancellations, mainly due to overhead wire issues on the Northeast Corridor, which is run by Amtrak and the country's busiest rail line.
Murphy says Amtrak and NJ Transit have been working to improve service by stepping up inspections, repairing the overhead wire power supply system, as well as signals and substations.
An Amtrak spokesperson told CBS News New York in a statement, "the rail company has launched its largest-ever capital investment program, which has more investment planned in New Jersey than any other state," adding the federal government has funded $6 billion for the effort.
More than 800,000 daily commuters rely on the NJ Transit system.
NJ Transit riders welcome free rides, but want more
Some riders questioned the fare holiday's timing -- coming on one of the slowest public transportation periods of the year. But they said they appreciate the little bit it does for their wallets.
"I think they should give us, instead of seven days, why not seven months? Why not more?" Felisha Thomson, of South Orange, said when the fare holiday was announced earlier this month. "We appreciate the seven days though. But only two days out of that one week I'm going to work."
"I'm really glad that at least we have a week. I wish we had a month or something, but it's great" said Lauren Ortega.
"It's awesome, I think the city should appreciate that," Assem Mahmoud said. "Anything free, if it's really free, that'd be cool."
"I think it's so beautiful for people to be able to get free rides. How amazing," another rider added. "So amazing, thanks Phil [Murphy]."
