New Jersey Transit Hikes Prices, Students Forgo Lunch

Written/Images by Diane Wikow

225 million trips occur on New Jersey Transit every year, acting as the

state’s only local bus and train public transportation option. It aims to bring passengers from

point A to point B in a timely manner. Or at least, it tries to: decaying infrastructure and

limitations from the past have a chokehold on New Jersey’s railroad infrastructure.

Further, NJ Transit’s bus network is limited by a lack of bus-specific infrastructure, such as HOV lanes, and aging additions to local route networks. In an attempt to become profitable, NJ Transit has implemented numerous fare increases (https://www.njtransit.com/hearing) that could affect the way that PCCC students commute to their classes.

On July 1st, 2024, NJT increased the price for both buses and trains by 15% and will raise the

price every July 1st after that by 3%. With several students relying on the buses to get to and from the college, a price increase can affect the only practical way students can travel to the campus.

Ashkena Novo, the Chapter Vice President at Phi Theta Kappa at PCCC, has gone on record to say the yearly price hikes are “unreasonable. It’s cheaper than getting an Uber or taxi, but it makes it harder for people to get to where they need to go.” She pays $5.80 for a round-trip ticket every day that she goes to campus. The bus is often late, and she misses class because of it.

“Today, the traffic was so bad that I had to get off the bus early so I could walk to class on time! Buses should have dedicated right-of-ways.”

Another member of PTK and a former student of PCCC who has recently transferred to NJIT,

Adrian Bertucci stated, “Since I don't drive, I essentially would be forced to pay the price

hike. At PCCC, I already kind of struggled to pay the monthly fare due to a lack of financial

support. When the 15% spike hit, I had to ditch the bus for a week and walked about an hour to school each way before I could afford the monthly fare again.” Bertucci paid $70 a month for a 2-zone monthly pass after the 15% spike in 2024. Before the hike, he paid $59.50 for the monthly 2-zone pass.

Kymari Croasdale, a classmate of mine, reciprocates these feelings. The quality of the ride does not match the money it costs to ride the bus. Thankfully, He can walk to the campus on foot as he lives nearby, but the bus provides shelter from the elements in the rain and snow.

Even then, the reliability issues mean he takes a gamble each time he takes the bus about whether he will make it to class on time. Some days it’s quicker to walk to college as traffic causes bus delays! All of this has led to riders’ dismay and significant cost increases. For low-income riders, this is a significant increase to bear and could be the reason many students choose between food for lunch or their bus ticket.