As a commuter for the past seven (7) years on New Jersey Transit rail,
I have relied on this service as my daily method of commuting to and
from New York City. I also tend to favor public transportation when
traveling to the city for pleasure rather than adding to the
congestion that is already so present on our overcrowded highways. I
also like to think, in some small way, I'm doing my part to be
eco-friendly by using mass transit which is supposed to be a more cost
effective and efficient form of transportation.
I find it offensive, borderline abusive, the increase that you are
going to put into effect on May 1. It is, without question, the most
insulting measure you can mandate to the riders. I'm sure I don't
have to remind you that we are in a recession and everyone is feeling
"the pinch" - you have used that line to justify such an increase. I
also should not have to remind you that those of us lucky enough to
still have jobs are, in many cases, supporting a family on one salary.
Some family members have lost their jobs in these difficult times
forcing families to take measures they probably didn't have to take
two years ago. With the unemployment rate in New Jersey topping 10%
how can a 25% increase be justified? Now that you are enforcing these
increases, are you going to be hiring? Because I fear there will be
people who can't afford to keep their job due to increased commuting
cost and will be forced to look for work closer to home if work is
available.
As much as I would like to believe that you do take the "riders
concerns seriously", you have clearly failed to act on that notion.
If you did take the riders seriously, you would not ask us to find an
extra 25% to pay this increase. I understand that periodically fares
will have to be increased to keep up with the increase of gas, wages,
maintenance. But 25% is staggering!
It has been stated that executives are taking a pay decrease of five
(5%) percent- that's a pretty modest decrease when you are asking the
very people who ensure you have a job to dig deeper. I read the press
announcement dated January 28, 2010 that you, Mr. Weinstein, receive
your salary ($261,324) plus an annual incentive compensation of
$10,000, based on performance AND car. How about you forgo the car
and YOU take the train to work and see the performance of NJ Transit.
I ask you to take it daily for one (1) month, during normal rush hour
times paying the same price we do and tell us your experience. This
is not a reflection on the hard working men and women, especially the
conductors, who I see more than I see close friends. It pains me to
read you are eliminating 200 people. My heart goes out to them and
their families.
I voice my thoughts in hopes that it will at least give you pause as to what you are about to do. People will not allow this type of monopolized transportation system to take more and give back less. Continue to push riders away and you will see true detrimental results to your actions – you will have more than just a budget gap to fill.
I know I don't have a lot of followers on this blog, but to anyone out there who is reading, I would love to know your thoughts on the matter! Don't be quiet-- make your voice heard!!!
