TRENTON, NJ — A bill Assembly Democrats Wayne P. DeAngelo, Raj Mukherji, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and John McKeon sponsored to help ensure that mass transit riders are properly informed of proposed service cuts is now law.
The new law, A-227, requires NJ Transit to hold a public hearing and provide notice prior to a reduction in bus or rail services, according to a press release. Previous law only required a hearing and notice prior to a “substantial” service cut.
“Any time there’s a proposal for bus or train service to be eliminated, people’s ability to get to work so they can keep a roof over their family’s head and put food on the table is at stake. That’s always substantial,” DeAngelo, who represents parts of Mercer and Middlesex counties, said in the release. “At the very least, NJ Transit passengers ought to be informed of how these changes may affect their lives and have the opportunity to voice an opinion.”
Under the law, NJ Transit must provide notice of a hearing regarding a proposed service cut at least 15 days before the hearing’s scheduled date. Should NJ Transit ultimately decide to discontinue bus or rail service, the corporation must notify the clerk of each municipality in the counties whose residents will be affected, as well as the respective boards of freeholders, at least 45 days prior to the change in service.
“Many of our residents rely upon public transportation every day, whether they’re commuting to and from work, visiting a doctor or running errands,” Mukherji, who represents parts of Hudson County, said in the release. “They deserve to be informed of any proposed changes to bus and rail schedules well in advance.”
“For many NJ Transit passengers, life revolves around the mass transit schedule, and any disruption to that schedule can have a domino effect,” Vainieri Huttle, who represents parts of Bergen County, said in the release. “Changes to mass transit schedules can have a major impact on people’s lives, so there’s an obligation to make sure that they have a say.”
“People across the state who rely on NJ Transit should have an opportunity to let decision makers know what kind of effect service cuts would have,” McKeon, who represents parts of Essex and Morris counties, said in the release. “By clarifying the public hearing process, this law will ensure that bus and rail passengers can share their input.”
A public hearing is not required for a change in service that does not increase fares, eliminate a bus route or any rail service, or change the time of a bus route or rail service by more than two hours, provided the bus or train still would run at least three times per day.
The measure received approval 70-2 in the Assembly and 38-0 in the Senate before being signed into law by the governor.