NJ Transit fare hike starts Wednesday: How much and why

Prices are going up again for New Jersey Transit riders. 

By the numbers:

Starting Wednesday, NJ Transit bus and light rail fares have automatically increased by 3%.

This marks the second consecutive year that commuters have seen a bump in transit costs, following a larger 15% increase that took effect two years ago. This automatic 3% annual adjustment was built into the agency's long-term funding plan to ensure steady revenue.

Why are fares going up?

The backstory:

Passenger fares remain a critical financial lifeline for the transportation agency, keeping services running and helping to close budget gaps.

These fare collections are expected to generate approximately $980 million for NJ Transit’s proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year. That $980 million makes up about 28% of the agency's total budget.

NJ Transit rolls out major rail schedule changes across multiple lines

NJ Transit's new rail schedules took effect Sunday, bringing service changes to multiple commuter rail lines across New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area.

What you can do:

Commuters are advised to check their routes, as the new pricing takes effect immediately across all bus and light rail services.

The Source: Information from this article was provided by NJ Transit.

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