Trenton, NJ – Governor Mikie Sherrill on Monday signed an executive order requiring NJ Transit to produce a sweeping plan within 45 days aimed at fixing long-standing service issues and improving the daily experience for hundreds of thousands of riders.
Standing alongside transportation officials and lawmakers, Sherrill said the order is the first step in holding the agency accountable for persistent delays, outdated infrastructure, and unreliable service information. “Today, I’m signing an executive order… to build a better New Jersey Transit, a better system with better service and a better rider experience,” she said.
The directive requires NJ Transit to deliver a “comprehensive binding plan” within 45 days outlining immediate improvements, including repairs to escalators and elevators, enhanced station lighting, cleaner trains and buses, and a full overhaul of the agency’s app and website to provide accurate, real-time updates.
45-day deadline targets immediate rider improvements
Sherrill emphasized that the order focuses first on fixes that can be implemented quickly, with changes expected to begin as early as May.
“In 45 days, I want to know exactly what we’re going to do to make sure that we repair escalators and elevators, brighten station lighting… and make live bus and train updates more reliable so you can trust what they say,” she said.
Key Points
- Executive order gives NJ Transit 45 days to submit a binding improvement plan
- Focus on cleanliness, reliability, accessibility, and real-time information
- Long-term investments include new buses, rail cars, and major infrastructure projects
Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chair Priya Jain said the order establishes a system-wide expectation centered on riders. “New Jersey Transit customers deserve a world-class system and… an experience that is consistent, reliable, and second to none,” Jain said.
NJ Transit CEO Chris Kolluri called the directive “thoughtful, pragmatic, and actionable,” adding that it provides a clear roadmap focused on core service fundamentals like safety, communication, and reliability.
Long-term upgrades tied to infrastructure and fleet replacement
Beyond immediate fixes, the administration outlined broader modernization efforts, including the delivery of 250 new buses and 40 new rail cars within the next year, part of a plan to replace the agency’s aging fleet by 2031.
Sherrill also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including upgrades at Newark Penn Station and continued work on the Portal North Bridge, a key link along the Northeast Corridor. She highlighted the Gateway Tunnel project as critical to long-term reliability, criticizing federal delays.
“Every day he keeps things on hold, it will cost workers more, it will cost taxpayers more, it will harm commuters,” Sherrill said, adding that the state has won multiple court rulings challenging the funding freeze.
Lawmakers stress accountability and daily impact
State lawmakers said the order addresses everyday concerns raised by commuters. Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese said, “Improving NJ Transit is not optional, it’s essential,” noting that the order sets clear priorities and timelines.
Assemblyman Gabe Rodriguez added that transit reliability directly affects quality of life. “Our residents deserve a transit system that works for them, not one that they have to work around,” he said.
Sherrill said the executive order is intended to restore trust in the system by delivering visible improvements while laying the groundwork for long-term transformation. “This order is just the first step,” she said.