A comprehensive audit of NJ Transit's operations ordered by the governor in January hasn't even started, despite Gov. Phil Murphy's statement that it would be done "as fast as possible."

The audit, ordered Jan. 22, has been bogged down for almost four months in bureaucratic procedures, according to state Department of Transportation officials. In January, Murphy said the audit would be completed as "fast as possible" -- possibly within the next three months.

A $1.3 million contract was finally awarded to the North Highland Company on April 30 to conduct the audit, with a report due in the fall, said Stephen Schapiro, a state Department of Transportation spokesman. The audit is expected to commence after DOT officials meet with the consultant.

The episode speaks directly to a larger skepticism among NJ Transit observers and riders, many of whom fear the system is never going to be improved.

"I'm not the least bit surprised the audit hasn't happened," said David Peter Alan, chairman of the Lackawanna Commuter Coalition and an attorney. "The Murphy people never asked us where NJ Transit can stand some improvement."

Alan, a transit advocate for 30 years, said talking to regular riders would be a start.

"They could get a good start on the problem by asking us, without spending the effort and money required to re-invent the wheel," he said. "I'm not sure what [the audit] will reveal that sharp riders do not already know."

As a frequent rider on NJ Transit, I am eager to see what the audit will reveal.



Murphy orders audit of 'national disgrace' NJ Transit https://t.co/reaPN8aLT5 — Hui Chen (@HuiChenEthics) March 20, 2018

So what was the delay between January and April?

State transportation officials didn't seek proposals until March 1 from companies interested in conducting the audit Murphy ordered in January, according to DOT's answer to questions from the Office of Legislative Services. Proposals were due on March 27, when four were received.

Before that, DOT officials had to draft a request for proposals, detailing what was required of the audit of NJ Transit's operations, Schapiro said. The request also had to be written, so the company that won the contract to do the audit, couldn't bid to implement any of the recommendations "to ensure the integrity of the audit," he said.

Once proposals were received on March 27, companies had to be given time to bid, and DOT officials needed time to evaluate proposals, and to award a contract, Schapiro said.

Here's the glaring irony, though: According to Schapiro, this was the sped-up version of the process, which actually knocked several months off the schedule.

"From the time the RFP went out, to the time the contract was awarded, was 60 days," Schapiro said. "This is much faster than the standard process, which is usually takes 90 to 120 days."

The company has 100 days to generate a final report and make recommendations that could guide reforms.

"We expect a preliminary assessment in 90 days with the report completed by the fall," Schapiro said.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.