Sires, Payne, Jr., Malinowski Lead Letter Urging Additional Assistance for New Jersey Transit

Press Release

Today, Congressman Albio Sires (NJ-08), along with Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) and Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy urging additional funding for New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) in the final language of the next COVID-19 emergency assistance legislation. They were joined by 11 of their colleagues from the New Jersey Delegation of the House of Representatives. As a result of severe COVID-related declines in ridership, NJ Transit is expecting massive fare revenue losses that make it difficult for it to continue operating, and which may make it difficult for the agency to return to full service.

"New Jersey Transit benefited greatly from financial assistance provided by the CARES Act for maintaining operations, but it is now clear that it will need additional assistance," said Representative Sires. "We have a responsibility to NJ Transit's workers and its customers to be sure that it is ready to service the thousands of commuters that keep our region's economy going when the pandemic ends."

"New Jersey Transit is responsible for one of the most popular transportation networks in the country and needs this money to maintain and improve those facilities," said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. "When we reopen fully, we are going to need those networks for commuters to get back to work and we can't afford any disruptions in service."

"New Jersey Transit has continued to provide vital services to our state's essential workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic," said Representative Malinowski. "Their budget has been hard hit in recent months from losing a significant portion of their ridership, and we must do our part in Congress to ensure they have the resources to keep the trains running, and their workers paid throughout this crisis."

NJ Transit is a lynchpin in our region's transportation network and, even in times like these, it is providing continuous service for workers with essential travel needs. Congressman Sires's letter asks that NJ Transit get the assistance it needs to address an expected $1.2 billion gap in its operating budget.

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