PSNY platform 1 .JPG

Crowding, delays, mechanical problems were just some of the issues that NJ Transit commuters such as the riders seen here at Penn Station, New York, brought up in comments sent to the agency about a proposed fare hike. (Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Frustrated, occasionally humorous, and profane were how NJ Transit riders voiced their displeasure about a proposed 9 percent fare increase and the declining level of service they say they experience daily.

Out of 627 comments mailed or e-mailed to NJ Transit last month, here are 10 of the more colorful ones that summed up the angst of many commuters about the fare hike and bus and train service. Potty mouth comments weren't included.

1. "Given the quality of services NJT provides, I find the idea of a transit hike to be more laughable than idea of a Britney Spears presidential candidacy," wrote a Pascack Valley Line commuter. "A full week rarely goes by without my train being cancelled. I understand that these things cannot always be predicted, but, Nostradamus has a better track record than NJT. Although NJT is about as effective as the Italian metro system, unfortunately this is America and our bosses do expect us to get to work on time. There is a statistically greater chance that I will wed a Kardashian than ever get to my destinations on time, and it is insulting that I am being asked to pay even more for unreliable service."

wiz.jpg

GOT QUESTIONS?

Ticked off about mass transit? Wondering about road construction? E-mail your questions to

. He'll answer your questions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on NJ.com. You can also Tweet

.

2. "It's getting to the point where it's cheaper (and more reliable) for me to drive (from Tinton Falls) into NY. I cannot afford another fare hike. Plain and simple, "said a North Jersey Coast line commuter.



3. "It is absolutely atrocious that you would allow buses to back up from the entrance of the stupid BUS ONLY EXPRESS lane to the Lincoln Tunnel exit on the NJ Turnpike," wrote a 136 Lakewood express bus commuter." Commuters are forced to sit in traffic for over an hour and a half and arrive to work late, well past 10 AM. The entire purpose of the EXPRESS lane and a commuter bus is to get people, who are paying HUNDREDS of dollars a month, to work on time. And then (you) have the audacity to implement a fare increase of 9 percent. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND APPALLING!"



4. "You've got to be kidding with this fare hike. I pay almost $250 now for a monthly pass into NYC, and now it's going up by $22 per month....for what? My buses are crowded, usually dirty, and almost never on time getting into Port Authority. You should be paying ME for the accumulated hours I miss every day per year from arriving late," wrote a rider of the 196 bus. "To raise the price for the actual service you provide is shameful. It makes driving my car in every day more appealing by the minute."



5. A Gladstone Branch commuter wrote "The problem is, your services have not improved. In fact, they have worsened. Trains are regularly late. Service is constantly disrupted. The word I think best describes NJ Transit is unreliable. I really don't understand how NJ Transit expects to raise fares. The last thing you should ask of your customers is to pay more for such unreliable service.

6.

"We have regularly delayed buses and dilapidated facilities. Is a bus that comes 20 minutes late, leaving riders inhaling fumes from the bus lanes deserving of a 9 percent fare hike?," said a 95 Watchung-NY bus commuter. "The scheduling looks great on paper yet feels hit or miss in practice. Sitting on a bus idling in the Lincoln for 20 minutes, because there is no room for it to unload at Port Authority Bus Terminal, is pretty frustrating. In such situations, you would think to call NJ Transit customer service - except that they only work until 5pm. Is this level of service deserving of a 9 percent fare hike? The passengers subject to the current abysmal level of service should not suffer the indignity of a fare hike."

7.

"Maybe if the Hudson-Bergen light rail was policed better for fare beaters, there wouldn't be such a deficit," wrote a light rail rider. "I can go for months and months without any fare inspectors boarding the train and I take 12 trips weekly."

8.

"My grievances are there's no attention to following a schedule. It's a suggestion these days. I find it to be disgusting and inconsiderate that our time (the commuters) is not valued," said a Route 165 Westwood to NY bus commuter. " The buses are not well maintained. No driver takes the time before passengers get on to check for garbage or anything gross. I've had to sit in a seat that had mustard all over the window. Dried mustard at that! Seats are busted and do not recline. There's seat matter all over the floor. The over hanging air vents have dirt and other foreign matter hanging from them. Now I ask you: how do you rationalize an increase in your patrons when you're not holding up to the current standards we expect?"

9.

"I think raising fares while doing nothing to improve service is a slap in the face. Every day I am late either going in or coming out. There is no communication," wrote a Main Line rail commuter. "It's just a lousy set up all around. Morning (transfers) exchanges in Secaucus are late every single day and (trains) overcrowded. So the solution is charge more and cut service? Too bad we have no other options for getting into the city."

10.

"You want to increase fares - yet your service stinks! Especially when it comes to communicating with passengers and your constant mechanical problems and delays. What chutzpah," wrote a Northeast Corridor line commuter. "I cannot afford the 9 percent increase."

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



