These NJ Transit hearings are rough stuff

by: Rosi Efthim

Fri Mar 26, 2010 at 11:59:45 AM EDT

Gov. Christie's plan to hike public transit fares 25% - while cutting service - was met with outrage and class resentment at public hearings conducted by NJ Transit last night. Fares would go up, but 32 trains and 33 buses dropped; 200 transit workers laid off. A dozen more hearings tonight and tomorrow (schedule below) are the public's chance for feedback on the governor's plans.

Some of the strongest audience response came during angry testimony by David Peter Alan of South Orange, a legally blind attorney who calls himself "transit dependent" (a video tracks his 2-hour commute). He called the pricing policy "a flagrant act of contempt against people who do not have access to an automobile ... implemented with reckless indifference to our mobility." Some commuters said they now face a choice: transportation or food. And there's little question many riders are already living on pared-down budgets, with their daily to-and-from carefully planned for. A sharp spike in those costs is a threat to their solvency, and for some commuters that's particularly irritating coming from a wealthy car-culture governor.

Hearings were held in 4 communities last night; Paterson, Trenton, Manalapan and at NJ Transit's Newark HQ, where it was standing-room-only inside and waiting list outside. There were about 140 people in the room when Adya Beasley of Star Ledger shot this video:

Angry commuters respond to proposed NJ Transit fare hike

There are 12 more hearings, all tonight & tomorrow. Looking for one near you? Complete schedule's after the jump.

Rosi Efthim :: These NJ Transit hearings are rough stuff

Further info, driving directions & (ironically) directions by public transit.
Friday, March 26, 2010 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Secaucus
Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station
County Road & County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ

Camden
Camden City Hall - Council Chambers (2nd Fl.)
520 Market Street, Camden, NJ

Morristown
Morristown Town Hall - Senior Community Center (3rd Fl.)
200 South Street, Morristown, NJ

Long Branch
Long Branch Middle School - Auditorium
350 Indiana Avenue, Long Branch, NJ

New York (Information Session)
Port Authority Bus Terminal - Times Square Hall (2nd Fl.)
625 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY

Saturday, March 27, 2010 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Hackensack (Information Session)
Bergen County Freeholders - Public Meeting Room (5th Fl.)
One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ

Atlantic City (Information Session)
Atlantic City Rail Terminal - Lobby
One Atlantic City Expressway, Atlantic City, NJ

East Brunswick (Information Session)
East Brunswick Community Arts Center Theater
721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ

Tags: NJ Transit, Chris Christie, David Peter Alan, (All Tags)

Print Friendly View

Send As Email

These NJ Transit hearings are rough stuff | 1 comments

The fact is that Christie's raising taxes. (0.00 / 0)

He's just avoiding raising taxes on anyone but the middle class and the poor.

This state Democratic Party needs to fight this bastard tooth and nail and drive home the point that it was the FIRST Christie who created this situation.

It is regrettable that the Democratic Governors following Christie - I excuse Governor Codey on the grounds of the nature of his tenure - were afraid to be the next Jim Florio.

Because of what they did to Florio, the last courageous and decent Governor of this state, the people of this State more or less deserve what they have, but still, we need to take a cue from the Congress and the President and stare this fat bastard down, break him up, expose him, and make him sweat like the pig he is.

by: NNadir @ Sat Mar 27, 2010 at 01:14:12 AM UTC