NJ Transit fare hike plan: Tickets for trains, buses to increase by 15%

NEW JERSEY - NJ Transit plans to raise train and bus ticket fares by 15%, according to a new proposal.

If the proposal passes, the system-wide fare increase would go in effect July 1, 2024. No fare would increase more than 15%, the agency said.

According to NJ Transit, ridership continues to lag pre-pandemic levels, saying the agency is entering the 5th year of ridership that will be below pre-COVID levels.

Sample fares from NJ Transit.

"The 5th consecutive year of ridership below pre-COVID levels has resulted in a reduction of nearly $2 billion in fare revenue since March 2020," NJ Transit said in a statement.

The proposal also includes annual systemwide increases of 3%, to take effect on July 1, 2025, and again on July 1 of each subsequent year, the agency said. No fare would increase more than 3% annually.

People disembark from a NJ Transit commuter train after arriving at the transit terminal in Hoboken. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

The next public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 4, at the Cherry Hill Public Library in New Jersey.

The last NJ Transit fare increase was back in 2015.