The Jersey City Independent "

NJ Transit riders from around north and central Jersey sounded off at a public hearing in Secaucus Friday night roundly criticizing the agency’s proposed 25 percent fare hike and service cuts.

In a corridor off the main terminal of the Secaucus Junction train station, about 50 bus and train customers filtered in and out during a three-hour session after a brief presentation by NJ Transit’s Kim Baccari on the agency’s plans to close a $300 million budget gap.

“Jersey City is a hub of business growth in the state,” said David Schechter, a rail and bus rider who commutes to Jersey City from North Jersey. “To cut back service there is unbelievable.”

Under the fare hike proposal, the typical three-zone bus ride from Jersey City to Manhattan, for example, would rise from $3.40 to $4.25. A monthly pass would jump from $109 to $136.

Comments ranged from emotional appeals from young commuters, single mothers and low-income transit riders to well-prepared analysis and suggestions for reforming the much-maligned transit agency.

Joseph Conway (at right), a resident of Port Liberte, said bus service cuts would be devastating to his development because of its remote location that entails a walk of more than a mile to the nearest Light Rail station. “This affects all of Jersey City,” he said.

Several suggested corporate sponsorship or more advertising to raise revenue, while others recommended that the fare hikes be spread out over at least two years to blunt the financial hit.

“This is about people; this is about the environment; this is about the economy,” said Zoe Baldwin of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, which is urging NJ Transit to use stimulus funds, postpone the fare hike and lower the increase for bus riders who make up two-thirds of NJ Transit users and trend toward low-income status.

Several mentioned the economic downturn and unemployment rate hovering at 10 percent in questioning fare hikes.

“When people can’t pay bills, you charge them more to go to work?” Tiantian Zhai of Hoboken asked rhetorically.

One thing commuters did not hear on Friday night were answers, as the two NJ Transit officials leading the session — Baccari and Leotis Saunders — did not respond to comments or questions. Saunders said that all comments were recorded and would be submitted into the record for consideration when the agency’s board considers the cuts and service reductions next month.

Baccari said that commuters are not the only ones bearing the fiscal pain. She said 200 jobs would be cut, executive salaries are slated to be trimmed, and other measures like furloughs and internal efficiencies are expected to save about $30 million.

The plans will be considered by the agency’s board of Directors on April 14 and could take effect by May 1.

Schecter added: “Before this proposal came through, I thought they should increase service to Jersey City. That is an area that needs mass transit.”

For more details on the agency’s proposals, or to submit a written comment online, click here. Public comments will be accepted until 5 pm on Monday, March 29.

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