Dear Governor Murphy,

An equitable economic recovery from Covid-19 in New Jersey depends on a functioning transit system that connects essential workers and their families quickly and safely with employment, education, and all the other elements of engaged daily life.

While Federal Covid-19 recovery funds have reduced the pressure on NJ Transit to cut service or raise fares in FY 22, looking ahead the agency and its riders face ongoing threats from lost passenger revenue and increased demands on the state budget.

Without adequate support from the state, NJ Transit is likely to continue its current practice of using capital funds to pay for operational expenses, perpetuating a cycle of deferred maintenance and disinvestment that has taken a toll on riders through delays and inadequate conditions on buses and trains.

Inadequate state funding also increases the risk of fare increases and service cuts that — if enacted — would unfairly place the burden of change on those who can least afford it, and could increase car congestion and pollution.

Despite the magnitude of NJT’s fiscal needs, no statewide coalition exists to support them — or their recently released capital and strategic plans — in their efforts to get on track. That is why Regional Plan Association (RPA) and its partner organizations are writing today in support of funding for NJ Transit that meets the need for an equitable economic and pandemic recovery that puts transit riders first.

Together, RPA and its partners ask that the FY 22 budget:

• Honor and implement the NJ Turnpike Authority’s May 2020 commitment to share future toll revenues to support NJ Transit, growing by 3% per year from $375 million in 2021 to an ultimate annual ceiling of $525 million;
• Seek to include include new, dedicated, ongoing funding increases that would eventually end the current need for NJ Transit to use capital dollars to fill operating budget gaps;
• Build support for NJT’s 10-year strategic and five-year capital plans by securing the funding needed to fully fund them, knowing that the programs will help put New Jersey residents back to work following the pandemic.

Thank you very much for your consideration on these important issues facing New Jersey residents today.

We would very much be open to discussing these matters with you or your staff at your earliest convenience.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Tom Wright
President and CEO, Regional Plan Association

Mary Barber
Director, Regulatory & Legislative Affairs Environmental Defense Fund

Bruce H. Bergen
Chairman, Raritan Valley Rail Coalition

Robert A. Briant, JR.
Chief Executive Officer, Utility & Transportation Contractors Association

Shelley Brindle
Mayor of Westfield
Co-Chair, Raritan Valley Mayor’s Alliance

Janna Chernetz
Director of NJ Policy, Tri-State Transportation Campaign

Sara Cullinane
Director, Make the Road NJ

Joseph A. Fiordaliso
President, American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey

Amy Goldsmith
NJ State Director, Clean Water Action

Peter Kasabach
Executive Director, New Jersey Future

Barbara E. Kauffman
Executive Vice President and COO, Newark Regional Business Partnership

Michael G. McGuinness
Chief Executive Officer, NAIOP NJ Chapter

Brandon McKoy
President, New Jersey Policy Perspective

Doug O’Malley
Director, Environment New Jersey

Ed Potosnak
Executive Director, NJ League of Conservation Voters

Anthony Russo
President, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey

Michele N. Siekerka, Esq.
President and CEO, New Jersey Business & Industry Association