Lawmakers are demanding answers regarding the NJ Transit budget issues and the highway expansion.

Recent hearings in the New Jersey legislature raised numerous questions from lawmakers to key figures in the transportation sector regarding the financial issues of NJ Transit, the controversial expansion project of the New Jersey Turnpike, and the methods being used to reduce pedestrian fatalities. These hearings, held annually after the governor's budget is released in February and before it needs to be approved by July 1, provided a platform for discussing pressing issues.

The main figures of NJ Transit, such as President and CEO Kevin Corbett, as well as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Transportation Francis O'Connor, endured over five hours of questioning in both chambers of the legislature over the course of two days. O'Connor has only been in this position for a few months, yet he had to answer questions about a multitude of issues that existed even before he took office.

Financial difficulties of NJ Transit

One of the most discussed topics has been the financial difficulties of NJ Transit. Corbett noted that the decision to increase fares by 15% starting in July, followed by a 3% increase annually, was made due to a lack of funds. Senator Andrew Zwicker from Somerset County expressed confusion as to why the transportation agency did not wait for the budget negotiations to conclude, especially considering Governor Phil Murphy's proposal to introduce a new corporate tax on transportation that could significantly reduce NJ Transit's current deficit.

“I have financial responsibilities; starting from July 1, I need to pay salaries,” Corbett explained. He added that the decision to reduce staff requires detailed planning and timely notification of the unions.

In response to a question about the consequences if the new corporate tax is not approved, Corbett stated that it would seriously impact the agency's ability to invest in long-term projects and improve service quality, including upgrading equipment. He noted that many projects require a long preparation period and mentioned that significant financial investment is necessary to expand services in South New Jersey, for example, as these initiatives cost billions of dollars and take time to implement, but will benefit the economy for decades to come.

Increase in NJ Transit fares

The agenda for the hearings also included the issue of increasing NJ Transit fares. Due to the lack of additional state support, Corbett warned of possible tough measures, as the Murphy administration instructed the transportation department to find ways to cut the budget by 20%, or $600 million. This initiative aims not only to optimize expenses but also to find alternative ways to meet the needs of the transportation system.

Relocation of NJ Transit headquarters

Questions about the relocation of NJ Transit's main office were also on the agenda. Deputy Brian Rumpf asked why the agency chose the most expensive proposal made by the consulting firm Savills instead of considering more economical options. Corbett explained that using capital funds to renovate a building they own is not always practical.

O'Connor reported that work on the budget analysis began in January, but the details of the contract remain unclear.

Issues of pedestrian safety

Issues of pedestrian safety have also become a topic of discussion. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of accidents involving pedestrians. Lawmakers have expressed concern that the transportation department is not taking enough measures to improve road safety. O'Connor explained that it is difficult to control driver behavior and that the cabinet will focus on educating and raising awareness about road safety.

Nevertheless, he did not mention the methods used in other cities to reduce the number of accidents. In particular, Hoboken has achieved a significant reduction in road fatalities by implementing viable solutions. Policies such asVision ZeroThe initiative aimed at eliminating all cases of fatal accidents on the roads also did not receive the attention it deserved.

Controversial expansion of the New Jersey Turnpike

Another important aspect of the discussion was the controversial expansion of the New Jersey Turnpike. Some lawmakers expressed concerns about whether the project would lead to an increase in the number of cars on the road. O'Connor, however, assured that the increase in traffic would not be significant and would not exceed the expected figures.

Nevertheless, the environmental impact predicted by the changes suggests that the number of cars will increase by more than a third compared to 2021 levels. Most of the concerns also revolved around the sharp increase in the project's cost from $4.7 billion to $10.7 billion, which caused confusion among the lawmakers.

Increase in toll fees

As a final touch, the agenda included a discussion on increasing tolls on highways. Lawmakers were curious why the governor had canceled the toll increase, which was then reinstated a few months later. O'Connor explained that this decision was made as part of a thorough review of financial indicators.

Overall, the hearings provided an opportunity to express concerns about the future of New Jersey's transportation system, and many questions remain unanswered, requiring further dialogue and clarification from officials.