Washington - Today, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) commended the Port Authority's Board of Commissioners vote to reduce the increase of PATH train fares to 25 cents, half as large as the originally-planned 50 cent increase. In addition, the Board voted to in favor of reducing the fare increase for multiple-trip passes and to introduce an unlimited trip pass.
Senator Menendez, who has led the effort to convince the Port Authority to reconsider the 50 cent increase, today said he was pleased that his efforts produced the desired results.
"I am pleased that the Port Authority recognizes that with all the energy, environmental, cost-of-living and traffic congestion issues that confront us, we should be encouraging PATH ridership as much as possible," said Senator Menendez. "When I spoke with Port Authority leadership, one of the alternatives I proposed was a lower fare increase coupled with a significant investment of funds to improve the PATH system and benefit riders. By reducing the fare hike and continuing to move forward with their capital investment plan, the Port Authority is essentially adopting this plan, which marks a definite improvement over a flat 50 cent hike. It is important and encouraging that the Port Authority took the calls to reconsider seriously, took an honest look at the situation and made what I believe is a smart decision."
Menendez wrote to the Port Authority about his opposition to the 50 cent increase upon the first news reports of the plan. Click Here to read that letter. He has also made numerous subsequent statements on the matter. Click Here to read those statements.
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