NEW JERSEY (PIX11) -- Commuters are always watching their costs.
The price to get around New Jersey on public transit is set to be increased for the first time in years.
Riders are sending a message to NJ Transit and Governor Phil Murphy after a 15% increase was suggested for this July and an annual 3% increase in the following years.
Alvin Young was waiting outside Newark Penn Station for the bus.
"It's expensive already and there should not be another hike," he said.
The agency says the fare increase was needed due to a $119 million budget shortfall this year.
"They have to make it easier and more affordable to take transit," said Debra Kagan.
Jaqi Cohen with Tri-State Transportation Campaign helped organize the rally.
"It's bad for the region and anybody that depends on traffic moving smoothly in and out of New Jersey," she said.
They are gathering signatures and stories to send to lawmakers and Murphy
"It's important to put a face on the people whose lives are impacted," said Eliana Fernandez with Make the Road NJ.
NJ Transit officials have identified nearly $100 million in other operational cost savings.
In 2018, Governor Murphy and the legislature passed a series of reforms that were supposed to reform the agency. This week, he is being reminded of some of his own words.
"Trenton needs to work together. Gov. Murphy said he would fix transit if it killed him. We have yet to see him come up with a sustainable solution," Cohen said
During a hearing Wednesday before the New York State Senate, MTA Chairman Janno Lieber criticized Murphy on the condition of NJ Transit and fighting congestion pricing. That program would charge some people to drive in parts of central Manhattan to raise money for transit improvements.
"Phil Murphy said he would fix it or die trying. Well, he is not dying and I do not think he is even trying," Lieber said.
Governor Murphy's office did not respond to the criticisms or future plans for the agency.
Riders and transit advocates want Gov. Murphy and the NJ legislature to bring back a corporate business tax and create long-term funding for NJ transit.
"It’s a public service. It should not be treated as a business that needs to get its revenue," said Alex Ambrose with NJ Policy Perspective.
10 public hearings around the state will be held in March.
The NJ Transit board will discuss and finalize the proposals. It is expected an increase would take effect in July. Service cuts will not be a part of this discussion, as of now.
“A decision to propose a fare adjustment is always the last resort, having held the line on any increases for nearly a decade. We recognize how critical public transit is to all our customers who depend on it, and that's why we are adamant that reductions in service levels are off the table as part of any solution to close the 2025 operating budget gap,” said NJTransit Pres. & CEO Kevin Corbett.
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