New Jersey Transit offers free fares beginning today: How and until when will commuters get free rides?
New Jersey Transit is offering commuters free fares after riders experienced problems with transportation this summer. Until when will they give free rides?
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is offering a week of free rides on all modes of transportation beginning Monday, Aug. 26 through Monday, Sept. 2. Passengers who go on trains, the light rail, and buses do not need to pay anything during these dates.
Those who have already bought monthly tickets will also receive some savings. They will automatically be given 25% off on their monthly pass purchase next month. They can buy the passes through the MTA mobile app, at ticket vending machines, or ticket counters.
The free rides are a form of compensation for commuters who experienced problems along the northeast rail lines NJ Transit shares with Amtrak.
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“Understanding that our commuters have faced many disruptions this summer, we are providing a one-week fare holiday for NJ Transit riders,” according to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
“As we work diligently with Amtrak to investigate and address the issues that have occurred this summer, especially on the Northeast Corridor, we hope this fare holiday offers our commuters some relief,” he added.
Social media users responded by saying the free rides are not enough to make up for the problems in New Jersey’s transportation service, while critics of the fare holiday say it’s a gimmick that doesn’t solve the transportation system’s woes.
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New Jersey transportation officials investigate root causes of hitches
New Jersey Transit and Amtrak officials have not pinpointed the exact causes of the incidents. They did say they were likely brought about by dilapidated equipment, lack of funding, and the summer heat.
They assure they have taken actions to remedy the situation, including implementing more equipment inspections on its platforms. Amtrak says it is in the midst of carrying out needed repairs.
Murphy has vowed that authorities continue to look into the root causes of the transportation service problems that cropped up the past few months.