NJ Transit Announces Free Rides Week

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced a fare holiday for NJ Transit, offering free rides on all modes of transportation from August 26 to September 2, 2024. This initiative aims to compensate commuters for a summer of significant service disruptions caused primarily by heat-related issues with Amtrak's infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor. Monthly pass holders will receive a 25% discount on their September passes. Critics, including New York Times correspondent Tracey Tully and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, argue that it is a distraction from the recent 15% fare hike and ongoing service reliability issues. Efforts to resolve the infrastructure problems include increased inspections and a $300 million federal grant awarded to Amtrak for repairs. The fare holiday is intended as a 'thank you' to loyal riders and to encourage new users to utilize public transit.