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Commuter wait on a crowded platform at New York, Penn Station to get up to the station level. With a vote on a nine-percent fare increase scheduled for Wednesday, NJ Transit commuters are weighing their options, including changing jobs or moving. (Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

With a 9 percent fare increase all but guaranteed after Wednesday's board vote, will more riders ditch their NJ Transit commute, their job or the state?

NJ Transit estimates that 3,500 to 4,000 customers, or less than 1 percent of ridership, will stop riding after fares increase, said Nancy Snyder, a spokeswoman.



Between Wednesday's board vote and the Oct. 1 fare increase, riders have time to reconsider their options, including finding a job with a better commute or moving closer to the job they have now.

RELATED: How much more will it cost you to ride NJ Transit trains?

"I put my my plan B into effect three weeks ago and left NYC. I'm done," said Darren Meyers, a former Montclair-Boonton line rail commuter. "I was fortunate to find work near my home that paid the equivalent of what I made in NYC."



Matt Walters, who co-founded the New Jersey Commuters Action Network, has collected Tweets from commuters since 2014, who cited their commute as a reason for leaving the state.

@NJTRANSIT Well tomorrow is my last commute via NJT, I am done! I took a job closer just to avoid you. You are that bad, poor service/high $ — JP PERRY (@sirpeach) April 30, 2015

Some commuters not only changed jobs, but moved out of state, citing delays and problems with NJ Transit as a factor. Walters encouraged those commuters to copy legislators.

@NJTransit_delay @NJTRANSIT @CoryBooker @SenatorMenendez Come June 1st I'll be living in NYC to escape this njtransit nightmare. — Tom Perlman (@tomperlman) May 7, 2014

Michael Phelan, co-founder of NJCAN and the Delayed on NJ Transit Facebook group said he investigated moving from Leonia to Weehawkin. Instead, he's thinking of changing the bus he rides.



"I'm going to look at the math and see if I can give less money to NJT by taking the 182 (one fare zone) bus to the George Washington Bridge bus terminal half the time, instead of the three zone 166 to Port Authority that I take now," he said. "I have to take the subway either way, so that won't cost me more."

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Other commuters on the Delayed on NJ Transit Facebook group who were asked about their Plan B said they were weighing a variety of options, including job searches.

"I will be job shopping since I won't be getting a 9 percent raise this year to cover my commuting expenses," said Denise Casazza. "My bus pass is already $455 per month, $6k just to get to and from work every year is ridiculous. That doesn't even include parking."



Some said the fare increase will make a job search a higher priority.



"If the hike goes into effect, it will (make me) only all the more motivated," said Dave Maresca.



Others said the job market isn't strong enough consider a change.



"If I could, I would find a position with a cheaper commute," said Meghan Hefferan. "But it's no easy pickings out there in the job market."



Some said they they have no choice but to endure the fiscal pain.



"I will likely suck it up if/when the fare hike goes through," said Jared Moore. "It's not ideal, but I'd rather not drive into the city every day and I don't have the money to move to Brooklyn or Queens."

Commuters, who have travel options, said they are weighing them.



"I was debating about taking the train straight to Hoboken and then take the PATH train to 23rd street instead of transferring at Secaucus to NY Penn," said Jessica Lopez Chetta. "I haven't priced it out yet, but I'm hoping I'll save a little more."



"This one won't be enough to drive me onto Academy Bus, they're about the same (fare) currently," said Andrew Richter. "But if the gap grows wider next time, that's the plan."



Other commuters said NJ Transit has a captive customer base with few options.

"(I have) No plan B and have to work in the city," said Melissa DeGeorge. "Unfortunately this is why NJT can raise the fares and people will pay them because there are very little options,"

Riders also are frustrated that,

to NJ Transit when the state budget was approved, to avoid a fare hike.

"I'm stuck with NJT," said Mark Handelman. "I'm a slave to the train."

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



