Ramón Flores lives in New Jesey and has been using public transportation to come to work in New York for twenty years. He says he does not agree with New Jersey Transit’s 15 percent fare increase starting July 1.
“There is no respite, that is, it feels like more, people are not breathing, there is always more, more expenses in every sense of the word,” Flores said.
The increase will be two dollars or more per route in bus and train fares.
-What do you think things continue to increase?
“Too much,” said Isolegny Lorenzo, another NJ Transit rider.
The NJ Transit Board of Directors voted Wednesday in favor of the increase, in addition to 3% increases in fares starting in July 2025.
The increase comes after the agency’s preliminary estimates for fiscal year 2025 found a budget shortfall of $119 million.
Transportation agency President Kevin Corbett said the decision was a last resort, adding that services will not be affected.
Flores says he spends more than $100 a week on public transportation.
“They should start thinking a little more about the worker, about the economic problem that is happening, that public services are not too high,” Flores said.
He added that his biggest concern is being able to make ends meet with so many expenses.
“Yes, because imagine, how much is the subway? How much is transportation in New Jersey? Plus the cost of food.”
It is the first time in ten years that the New Jersey Department of Transportation has increased its rates. The new prices go into effect on July 1.
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