Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

In January 2012, NJ Transit became the first transit agency in North America to introduce Bank Note Recycler technology, which allows the machines to dispense change in the form of paper bills — ones, fives, tens and twenties — instead of dollar coins.

Includes Access Link paratransit. Due to significant damage to the state’s public transportation network, NJ Transit rail service will remain suspended until further notice.

As part of Gov. Chris Christie’s emphasis on accountability to New Jersey taxpayers, the agency proposed changing its 30-year blanket privilege allowing non-agreement employees unlimited, free travel on rail, light rail and bus services.

Upped by $250 million, further supporting a state commitment to fund growth around public transportation routes. Expands the program's cap of available tax credits to a total of $1.75 billion.

Executive director Jim Weinstein said that the project was terminated based on a recommendation from a committee — headed by him — because New Jersey couldn’t afford it.

When he canceled it in October 2010, Gov. Christie said the price could reach $14 billion, with N.J. responsible for 70% of cost. Investigators found that the cost of the Hudson River rail tunnel project was estimated at $12.4 billion, with the state tabbed to pay 14.4%.

Officials in Gov. Chris Christie's administration said they're looking to end such payouts for public employees, preferring a "use it or lose it" policy for vacation time and using sick time for illness only

Although the agency's legal tab to fight feds cost $1.2 million, the $297 million lost stems from the engineering and design work, payments to contractors and various other items that were paid for but are now unnecessary with the cancellation of the project.

Gov. Christie cancelled the ARC commuter tunnel after projections showed the project could go at least $1 billion over its $8.7 billion budget. The new deadline is Jan. 18, 2011.

Gov. Christie, who withdrew his support for the project a few weeks ago, said this decision to scrap it would not be reconsidered.