The Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ (via NJ.com), 3/17/18:
Murphy tackles N.J. Transit, in earnest | Editorial
In Chris Christie's first year in office, he kneecapped the state subsidy for New Jersey Transit by $62 million, raised rail fares 25 percent, hiked bus fares 10 percent, reduced schedules, and eliminated off-peak rail discounts.
Somehow, it didn't produce a better product.
In fact, the transit system became more of an omnishambles with each subsequent year he strangled it.
On Tuesday, Christie's successor announced a $242-million increase in state funding for NJ Transit and muzzled any talk of fare increases for 2019. And judging by the other steps Gov. Murphy has already taken - appointing real transit experts, purging patronage hires, and ordering an audit - he has shown that he is ready to strap on a helmet and tackle this neglected, abused and understaffed agency that is responsible for moving 910,000 passengers every day.
SNIP
Christie has left his successor with a Category 5 meltdown, and the forthcoming reboot will take time. But we now have a governor who understands that our economic viability is dependent on a transit system that can no longer be - to borrow a phrase - a national disgrace.
