NJ Transit commuters are one step closer to having a voice on the agency's board of directors.

A state Assembly panel sent a bill to the full assembly Monday for a vote that, if passed and signed by the governor, would add two commuter representatives to the board and expand it to a total of 9 members.

Commuter advocates and union representatives spoke in favor of the bill at an Assembly Transportation committee hearing Monday, saying that adding two regular commuters would provide the perspective from daily riders.



"Their input will be invaluable. It's an important public accountability bill," said Janna Chernetz, Tri-State Transportation Campaign New Jersey policy director. "Adding commuters to the board would help move NJ Transit in the right direction."



Assemblyman Scott Rumana, R-Passaic disagreed and voted against releasing the bill.

"We have four public members, the public is well represented," he said.



However, commuter groups have challenged that assertion last year, when advocates asked board members to tell them how often they ride and which train lines and bus routes they used.

The measure also would give a vote to a current board member who represents unions. A state Senate bill which would have put commuters on the board never made it to a vote last year.



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