TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Transit would be required to send individual electronic responses to riders who submit written comments about proposed fare increases or significant service reductions under legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Victoria A. Flynn of Monmouth County.
Assembly Bill A385, pre-filed for the 2026-2027 legislative session, would amend existing state law governing the public comment process before NJ Transit implements fare hikes or substantially curtails or abandons rail or bus service. The proposal was introduced pending technical review by the Office of Legislative Services.
Current law already requires NJ Transit to hold public hearings before implementing qualifying fare increases or major service changes. The agency is also required to provide both a mailing address and an email address where members of the public can submit written comments and to publish written responses addressing issues raised during hearings or through written submissions.
Flynn’s bill would add a new requirement that NJ Transit provide a written response by email directly to any member of the public who submits comments through the agency’s designated electronic mailing address regarding a proposed fare increase or a substantial curtailment or abandonment of service.
The legislation would not alter the existing hearing requirements. Before a fare increase can take effect, NJ Transit must continue to hold at least 10 public hearings distributed throughout New Jersey, with hearings scheduled during both daytime and evening hours. Similar hearing requirements remain in place before significant rail or bus service reductions can be implemented.
The bill also leaves intact the statutory definition of “substantial curtailment,” which includes actions such as eliminating an entire bus route or rail line, significantly reducing service frequency, closing stations or terminals, or making other major reductions in transit service.
If enacted, the measure would take effect on the first day of the third month following its enactment into law. The legislation also authorizes NJ Transit to take any necessary administrative steps in advance of the effective date to implement the new requirement.
