History & Structure

Created by the New Jersey Public Transportation Act of 1979, the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ TRANSIT) was established to provide a statewide “efficient, coordinated, safe and responsive public transportation system which promotes mobility, serves the needs of the transit-dependent, fosters commerce, conserves limited energy resources, protects the environment and promotes sound land use and the revitalization of our urban centers.” In furtherance of these goals, NJ TRANSIT is empowered to, among other things, acquire and operate public transportation assets, contract for public transportation services, and acquire, own, hold, improve use and otherwise deal in and with real or personal property.

In 1980, NJ TRANSIT purchased Transport of New Jersey, the State's largest private bus company at that time. Between 1981-85, the services of several other bus companies were incorporated into NJ TRANSIT Bus Operations, Inc. On January 1, 1983, a second subsidiary, NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations, Inc. was launched to assume operations of commuter rail in the State after Congress ordered Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) to cease its passenger operations. A third subsidiary, NJ TRANSIT Mercer, Inc., was established in 1984 when the agency assumed operation of bus service in the Trenton/Mercer County area. A fourth subsidiary, NJ TRANSIT Morris, Inc., was established in 2011 when the agency assumed operation of the local bus service in Morris County.

As stakeholders in NJ TRANSIT, State residents are represented by a 13-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Governor. Eleven members are voting members; eight members are from the general public and three are State officials. Two non-voting members are recommended by labor organizations representing the plurality of employees. The agency is structured to encourage broad public participation in the formation of transit policy for the State. NJ TRANSIT's board meets monthly. The Governor can override board actions by vetoing board meeting minutes.

NJ TRANSIT Corporation's Board selects a President & CEO to administer the entire agency. The President & CEO serves as President of all three subsidiaries (NJ TRANSIT Bus Operations, NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations, Inc. and NJ TRANSIT Mercer, Inc.).

Two advisory committees provide the agency with additional input from the public. The North Jersey Passenger Advisory Committee and the South Jersey Passenger Advisory Committee are each comprised of 15 unsalaried members. Members of the North Jersey and South Jersey Passenger Advisory Committees serve four-year terms.