NJ Transit approves 25 percent fare hike

The New Jersey Transit Board of Directors approved plans on Wednesday to raise fares and limit some services. Rail fares will increase by 25 percent as part of the new fare plan, which will take effect May 1.

In addition to a price hike for one-way tickets, New Jersey Transit is eliminating the off-peak round-trip discount. These combined changes will mean that the lowest price for a round-trip ticket from Princeton to New York Penn Station could increase to more than $33.00, from the current $22.50.

A one-way ticket to Newark Airport from Princeton is currently $15.50, and a 25 percent increase would make it roughly $19.50, though the exact price of this ticket has not yet been released.

While the cost of traveling to specific stops from Princeton hasn’t been announced yet, a representative from New Jersey Transit said on Wednesday afternoon that the complete list of adjusted prices will be released on April 26.

Fares on local buses will only increase by 10 percent. The price for riding buses that travel to nearby shopping malls will increase to $1.50, from $1.35.

Off-peak round-trip train tickets purchased before May 1, at the current price, will still be accepted until May 23.

New Jersey Transit also approved the elimination of five trains on the Northeast Corridor line as of May 23, including a weekday northbound train that stops at Princeton Junction at 5:41 p.m. and serves passengers taking the 5:24 p.m. Dinky train from Princeton to Princeton Junction. A later northbound train, which now stops at Princeton Junction at 6:25 p.m., will depart 21 minutes earlier to accommodate rush-hour passengers.

The service reductions on the Northeast Corridor line are expected to affect 2,700 customers.

Several students said that the fare hikes will not change their travel habits.

Peng Jiang GS said that because he does not use the train often, “I just swipe my card without looking at the price.”

Daniel Pedraza ’13 said that, while he does not use the train regularly either, “an extra $10 can really make a difference for college students who want to travel, especially for those who use public transit to facilitate long-distance relationships.”

The changes come as the transit system looks to confront a roughly $300 million deficit for next year. In February, Republican Gov. Chris Christie announced plans to reduce the $296 million state subsidy for transportation by $32.7 million in the face of the state’s $2.2 billion budget deficit.