After TC candidate Nancy Adams appealed to the Township Committee on Tuesday, April 21, asking them to formally oppose a proposed NJ Transit rate increase, TC members agreed to draft a resolution.
While speaking to the TC during public comments, Adams noted that NJT’s proposal also decreases services to some areas while increasing fees.
“This is just not right,” said Adams,.“Those who are commuting or otherwise responsibly use mass transit rather than driving cars into the city should absolutely not be penalized for doing so.” Adams went on to say that the State of New Jersey should work with NJ Transit to see where additional funding could come from — including potentially raising the gas tax for the first time since 1988 — and look at ways to encourage rather than discourage mass transit use.
After the meeting, Adams provided information stating that the current NJ Transit rail monthly pass of $208 for Maplewood resident would increase to $226.72 under the proposed 9% increase, costing local commuters $224.64 more per year. She also said that bus service to NYC would increase by $16.47 per month to $199.47 per month. “The rates need to be brought under control so that those who live in New Jersey and work in NYC aren’t penalized unfairly,” wrote Adams in a press release.
“The State needs to address the Transportation Trust Fund’s issues, and bite the political bullet to do what’s needed and increase the gas tax, thus reducing the need for fare increases by NJ Transit. The gas tax has not increased since 1988, thus the TTF is underfunded and there’s no money to fix the State’s infrastructure and fund mass transit. This is unacceptable and the result of political decisions rather than prudent governance,” said Adams, who added that fare increases will create more drivers and cause an adverse affect on air pollution, roads, bridges and traffic,” said Adams.
“Mass transit fare increases while gas taxes remain stable is counter intuitive to what’s right, which is encouraging, not discouraging, the use of mass transit,” continued Adams.
After some discussion at the April 21 Township Committee, Mayor Vic DeLuca directed Township Counsel Roger Desiderio to draft a resolution addressed to NJ Transit and the State of New Jersey to reconsider the proposed increases and look for ways to fix the broken Transportation Trust Fund.
However, DeLuca and the other Committee members declined to suggest a gas tax increase in the resolution. Committeeman Marlon K. Brownlee said he was “wary of raising gasoline tax in that not everyone works in NYC.” Brownlee noted that some locals drive to work and do not have the option of using the train or taking a bus; he worried that they would be negatively impacted by an increased gas tax although he noted that he understood that funding needed to be found somewhere. Brownlee said he wanted to examine the impact on drivers before voting on any resolution that would suggest raising gas tax.
DeLuca concurred, “We’ll call for a comprehensive look.”
“And not mention gas tax?” asked Committeewoman India Larrier.
“Correct,” said DeLuca.
The motion to draft a resolution passed by a vote of 5-0.
