Unless it gets its fare collection act together, NJ Transit will be on shaky ground going back to riders next year for one of the inflation-indexed fare increases the agency says it wants.

Riders on NJ Transit trains are getting a significant number of free rides because fares aren’t collected, according to Star-Ledger reporting during January.  While NJ Transit said it does not have data on fare collection, staff members told the Ledger that the problem of uncollected fares is growing.

Citizens already raised the issue of uncollected fares during public meetings on the fare hikes in early January, saying NJ Transit should remedy their collection problems before raising fares.

NJ Transit’s April fare increase is now definite, but consistent fare collection may raise more than the agency would get from an indexed increase next year.  Although NJ Transit rescinded its initial plan for automatic yearly hikes,  it will may still consider such an increase and subject it to public hearings and the governor’s approval.

NJ Transit vice president for rail operations William Knapp told the Star-Ledger that fare collection has been a challenge on peak trains since September, when ridership on New York lines soared.  However, fare collection is even more crucial on off-peak trains because there are fewer regular passengers with pre-paid monthly passes.  According to the Ledger, Knapp addressed this issue in a recent letter to conductors, saying, “Numerous passengers have reported that, very often, no attempt is made to collect tickets even on off-peak and weekend trains.”

Passengers told the Star Ledger that  fares regularly go uncollected on off-peak trains, estimating free rides on 30-70% of trains.  Others said they have saved money by switching from a monthly pass to a ten-pass booklet due to sporadic ticket collection.  NJ Transit is now  using a spotter system to monitor the conductors to determine the extent of their losses.

NJ Transit's Holiday Hearings Can't Keep Riders Away

(Jan. 7, 2002)

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