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NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

NEW NJ TRANSIT FARES TO TAKE EFFECT APRIL 1

Extensive Customer Notification Process Continues

NEWARK, NJ, March 27, 2002 -- NJ TRANSIT will be implementing new fares on its bus, rail and Newark City Subway systems next Monday, April 1.

Specific fare information for customers is currently available on the Corporation's website (www.njtransit.com) or by calling NJ TRANSIT's Transit Information Center:

  • North Jersey: between 6 a.m. and midnight at 1-800-772-2222 or at 1-973-762-5100 from out of state.
  • South Jersey: between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. at 1-800-582-5946 or at 1-215-569-3752 from Pennsylvania.
  • For persons with hearing impairments: 1-800-772-2287.

Earlier this month, NJ TRANSIT distributed seat notices on its trains, buses and the Newark City Subway, with fare information specific to each customer's line. In addition, Customer Assistance personnel have been out at major stations and terminals this week and will be out again Monday, April 1 to assist riders with the new fares.

The April 1 fare implementation includes:

  • An average 10 percent fare increase on trains, buses and the Newark City Subway, effective April 1 -- the first NJ TRANSIT fare increase since 1991.
  • Implementation of a common rail fare between stations in Newark and Penn Station New York or Hoboken Terminal. The one-way fare to Penn Station New York will be $3.30 and the one-way fare to Hoboken will be $2.15.
  • Fares on the No. 126 Hoboken-New York route and between Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee and the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal will be restored to standard interstate bus fares.
  • Increasing the rail on-board ticket purchase surcharge from $3 to $5 when ticket agents or Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) are available at a customer's departing station.
  • Amending the existing ticket refund policy, providing a refund only for unused portions of monthly and weekly passes and 10-trip tickets (one-way and round trip tickets would no longer be eligible for the refund).
  • Renaming the Corporation's off-peak round trip ticket (from RTX to ORT), and adding weekday afternoon travel restrictions. The ORT retains the existing 25 percent round trip ticket discount (plans in the original fare proposal to eliminate the existing weekday rail round trip discount fare were abolished).
  • Maintaining a 55 percent discount for senior citizens and people with disabilities (plans in the original proposal would have reduced the discount to 50 percent, consistent with state law).

To ensure that customers are made aware of the pending fare increases and policy changes, NJ TRANSIT implemented the following customer outreach effort:

  • Customer forums have been held this month at major stations and terminals.
  • New timetables and schedules are available with updated fare information.
  • This week, NJ TRANSIT launched a Customer Assistance program, with NJ TRANSIT representatives posted at high-volume stations and terminals to assist customers with fare information and ticket purchases.
  • Information posters have been placed at stations and major terminals.
  • NJ TRANSIT has mailed special notices to employers and employees who participate in the Corporation's Business Transit Alliance, Mail-Tik program and Transportation Management Associations. The Corporation also encourages commuters to inquire about the BusinessPass Program, where employees can save up to $400 annually in Federal pre-tax salary deductions, when combined with the monthly pass savings of 35 percent.
  • Last week, NJ TRANSIT provided its customers with fare information in the Corporation's latest FYI publication.

Additionally, NJ TRANSIT has been providing fare information briefings to its front-line employees who have routine interaction with customers (bus and light rail operators, rail conductors, customer service representatives, etc.)

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