NJ Transit Proposes Eliminating Free Travel for Non-Union Employees
The board of trustees will consider whether or not to approve the matter at their Oct. 15 meeting.
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NJ Transit today proposed eliminating a policy that allows unlimited free travel on rail, light rail, and bus lines for the agency's non-union employees, according to NJT Spokeswoman Nancy Snyder.
The policy, which has been in effect for 30 years, will be considered by the NJT Board of Directors at their meeting Monday, Oct. 15. If approved by the board, it will be subject to Gov. Chris Christie's veto period, Snyder said.
The change would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013, resulting in non-union employees and non-union retirees no longer being able to use the transit system free-of-charge for personal purposes, according to a press release from NJT.
“Moving forward, NJ Transit must continue to sufficiently consider the interests of our fare-paying customers and taxpayers. The organization’s travel policy must be consistent as to how our customers and taxpayers commute and travel – they pay for their expenses,” said NJT Executive Director James Weinstein in the release.
Snyder explained that the proposed change is part of an ongoing effort to implement cost cutting measures that make the agency more accountable, transparent and efficient.
"1.6 million [dollars] is estimated not to be collected with the 1,800 non-union employeers that are affected by this policy change," she said. "We understand the impact on our employees but we also must balance the fact that we have to consider our fare paying customers and tax payers."
This is not the first policy change that has been implemented regarding NJT's non-union employees.
In 2011, the vacation and sick leave policy for non-union employees was reformed so as to eliminate sick day payouts for new employees and require employees to us sick time on a first-earned, first-used basis, according to NJT.
NJT reports that the 2011 policy change contributed to an improved on-time performance, the second-lowest budget growth in the past 15 years, and a third straight budget without a fare increase.
Similar reforms already have eliminated free travel privileges for employees at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the NJ Turnpike Authority and the Delaware River Port Authority, according to NJT.
Tom Cular
8:08 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The next step should be taking back all the free EZ Passes from Port Authority and Turnpike Authority employees.
Tommy
11:27 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
before the union bashing starts and the ignorance starts abounding i would like to note that the union employees are paying there fare through contract negotiations.
Rick
12:16 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Would that be THEIR fare?
Does that mean the union gives NJT a portion of the dues collected to cover the cost of the fare?
WMS826
1:50 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Who cares, this is minimal. Please tell me none of you get an employee discount or subsidized lunch, bonus, Holiday Party, company car etc. They are employees of their company, yes NJT is a COMPANY, not the goverment. This will save nothing and not bring in massive revenue.
Rick
5:18 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
NJT is the State's public transportation corporation. It is part of our state government.
The executive director and board of directors are appointed by the governor.
The board chairman is the Commissioner of Transportation and one of the members is the State Treasurer.
WMS826
5:49 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
NJ transit is part of the government when it needs to be and a private corporation when it needs to be. It is a for profit business no matter how you slice it. The workers do not get state pensions as do those in Trenton nor are they civil service protected.