In our spotlight on Business report tonight, commuters on NJ Transit are bracing for sharp pains in their wallets to start next week.

The agency's 15% fare hike takes effect on Monday and then jumps by 3% every year after that.

It's a steep increase after years of fares remaining flat.

In fact, there hasn't been a price change since 2015.

This hike comes as NJ Transit has experienced a string of severe troubles on several train lines.

While riders today voiced their frustration with the rails and the rates at the NJ Transit Board meeting, some are outside of agency headquarters and others inside Newark, Penn Station.

Raven Santana made a stop at each space to talk with them.

I'm a rider Of New Jersey Transit every day and I'm just disgusted with the service over the last month.

It's it's horrible.

Communication is terrible.

And I want to know what you're going to do to fix it.

Riders got straight to the point when calling into air their grievances about NJ Transit during Friday's board meeting.

While there was some testimony given in person, almost all of the testimony was made via phone where riders were given 2 minutes to let it out.

Guys need to get it together.

The public comment period comes just days before NJ Transit Riders will experience a 15% fare hike, fueling more frustrations.

Certainly as frustrated as our customers over what's happened over the last month on the Northeast quarter.

I heard a lot of people call them were from the malls and actually line, which I ride every day myself.

So certainly firsthand aware with that for each quarter as you decide the point that board member now we're talking 100 mechanical issues out of 17,000 trips.

So percentage wise, that's very small today.

Board members remain too poised as they listen to angry riders while they empathize with them.

They also made sure to point out Amtrak's role in on time performance or OTP.

The protests and remarks by the board comes just a day after Governor Murphy met with Amtrak leaders.

To talk about the wreck that we inherited with NJ Transit.

Part of that wreck was was a dysfunctional relationship.

And those frustrations could be heard outside the committee meeting in front of the building where advocates behind me protested for hours saying those fare hikes would impact their livelihood.

But we're here to say that how how are we going to increase the fares 15% come Monday morning with no guarantee of improved service.

If we're not using our resources to help assist people over profits.

Then we have to seriously think about whether our priorities are in the right place.

Meanwhile, Congressman Robert Mendez, in a hearing on Capitol Hill yesterday, demanded that Secretary of Transportation people to judge, launch an investigation into the Amtrak overhead wire malfunctions along the northeast corridor that have caused thousands of hours of delays for NJ Transit commuters over the last several weeks.

Imagine leaving for work and having assuming that you'll be able to get back to your children on a on a relying on public transportation.

We want to relieve congestion.

We want people to use mass transit.

Imagine walking out your door and not knowing when you will be able to get back home.

So in your words, please, what is the department doing to partner with Amtrak to ensure that breakdowns like this never happen again?

We know that commuters on NJ Transit have been subject to infuriating delays, as you have described.

And if our personnel are involved on the ground assessing what took place and trying to get an understanding of the causes of what appears to be physical damage to NJ Transit, NJ transit cars.

I just feel like there shouldn't be fare hikes anyways, you know, especially because they've been doing so bad.

Recently.

The alternate is probably got ordering a lift if the worst case scenario.

Right.

A lot more expensive.

On Monday I left the office at seven.

I didn't get home until 10:00.

NJ Transit is facing a $1 billion shortfall.

The new state budget that is expected to pass this weekend includes a corporate transit fee in it, which starting in 2026 is intended to be used for.

NJ Transit.

But this year it's not a tough reality for commuters as fare hikes begin Monday for NJ Spotlight News.

I'm Raven Santana.

Support for the Business report is provided by experience, the vibrancy of Newark's Arts and Education District and Halsey street.

Halsey a neighborhood built on heart and hustle.

Visit Halseyn-w-k.com for the 2024 Halsey Fest schedule.