NJ Transit Eliminates Free Travel for Non-Union Employees
The policy will go into effect in Jan. 2013.
NJ Transit's non-union employees will no longer be granted free travel on the agency's rail, light rail and bus lines as of Jan. 2013.
According to NJT Spokeswoman Nancy Snyder, the board of directors voted Monday to approve the elimination of the 30-year-old policy. The change will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.
The policy allowed non-union employees and non-union retirees to use the transit system free-of-charge for personal purposes, according to a press release from NJT. Under the new policy, free travel for non-union employees will only be granted for work purposes.
Snyder explained that the change is part of an ongoing effort to implement cost cutting measures that make the agency more accountable, transparent and efficient.
"1.6 million [dollars] is estimated not to be collected with the 1,800 non-union employeers that are affected by this policy change," she said on Oct. 8. "We understand the impact on our employees but we also must balance the fact that we have to consider our fare paying customers and tax payers."
The change will not impact union employees.
This is not the first policy change that has been implemented regarding NJT's non-union employees.
In 2011, the vacation and sick leave policy for non-union employees was reformed so as to eliminate sick day payouts for new employees and require employees to use sick time on a first-earned, first-used basis, according to NJT.
NJT reports that the 2011 policy change contributed to an improved on-time performance, the second-lowest budget growth in the past 15 years, and a third straight budget without a fare increase.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the NJ Turnpike Authority and the Delaware River Port Authority have already eliminated free travel privileges for employees, according to NJT.
paying rider
2:55 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
But NJT just OK'd spending $5.6 million to settle a broken contract that Gov. Christie caused by cancelling the tunnel project. $5.6 million for nothing and you take free travel for a few people that worked for it??? Unbelievable!!
Mike
4:14 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
worked for what? You worked ther dont own it.
Dave
10:53 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Why non-union employees only? Why do union employees get free travel?
Bernardino Ramazzina
10:57 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
because they have a contract. once it runs out they will lose it as well.
commonman
11:01 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
if u work at a bank should u get free money? get rid of these bloodsucking leeches
Marlboro Guy
11:06 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Not to say it's right or wrong, butthe trains are running regardless if extra people ride for free or pay. This is not the battle they should be fighting or worrying about. Get the service better and more efficient.
commonman
12:01 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
ur wrong its the exact battle to fight it starts with the little things that are easy to fix then u work ur way up to the big problems. the whole systyem is broke need to raise fees/taxes on everyone from poor to rich.
George Clark
12:42 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Wrong. It's a trickle down problem so we must start from the top down because they can afford to be judged much harder then those they already judge to hard. Get a grip
George Clark
12:39 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I hope it makes all the scabs driving for Academy, who owns half the njt bus lines, stand and unionize against this gang of thieves robbing them and us all. It serves the non union idiots right to be trampled under the foot of this man and his goons. Academy broke the unions in late 60's to earn his share of the stupid that would unite against corruption and greed. Now I hope the have learned their lessons of being to afraid to lose a lousy job instead of standing up for what's right and fair. Wake up drivers you are asleep at the wheel. your making 12 and hour when you should be making a decent wage for a tough and dangerous job.
commonman
11:42 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
george clark ur a union tool all the union does is drive up the cost from people who have to commute to a real job. I love academy buses run great always clean always have a seat even in the blizzards 2 years ago NJ tansit bus and trains not running but academy was some of us havbe REAL jobs ansd cant take snow days like children. Even on normal days i laugh at the idiots who ride the trains and buses late, dirty, no seats and more expensive. So george and the rest of the union fools wake up and realize this is 2012 not 1912 if you are too good for the job someone else will take it. Unions are the reason that everything is being outsoursed to china we cant afford to pay retards $40 HR PLUS BENNIES to do a job that a high school drop out or child in china can do and will do for 1/4 the pay with no bennies. this is the reason every state and the US gov is broke. the obligations to unions that are corrupt lazy and stupid. I bet when you like to go to walmart and but tee shirts for 4.99 well thats not possible if u had to pay a union to do it here so everytime u shop and buy products at a fraction of what the would cost to be made here your just being a union fraud like everyone else.
commonman
12:45 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
UNION=WASTE
commonman
12:45 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
UNION=CORRUPTION