NJ Transit Sees 95% Decrease in Ridership; Needs More Funding

NEW YORK CITY – Calling public transportation the “underpinning of reopening the economy,” New Jersey Transit and 14 other leaders of public transportation agencies asked the federal government for an additional $32 billion to address COVID-19 impacts through 2021.
Kevin Corbett, president and chief executive officer, New Jersey Transit, said they had projected a 90% drop in ridership because of the pandemic, but instead have seen a decrease of 95%. They have already received $1.4 billion in federal funding, and are requesting $1.2 billion in the next round.
NJ Transit and private transit carriers have been under an executive order (No. 125), requiring them to implement additional safety and sanitary precautions since April 13. The company has suffered a decrease in ridership due to the shelter-in-place orders and the general economic downturn.
It is the nation’s largest state-wide system, providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 253 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines, and paratransit service.
“The transit system has seen a devastating financial impact from COVID-19,” Corbett said, at a press conference conducted through Zoom May 12, “The financial impact will continue to escalate as we recover from this virus.”
“The transit authority has really worked to be sure we all received our personal protective equipment,” he continued. “We have kept the system moving so we can keep many of our front-line workers working. It really is heroes moving heroes.”
He said New Jersey Transit spent the last decade investing in its system, and “we can’t lose ground. We need state support to continue to operate.”
The 15 agencies requesting more federal funding serve communities that generate 35% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Congress has provided $25 billion for transit nationally, through CARES Act funding.