The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee has advanced bipartisan legislation to create an independent Rider Advocacy Commission and New Jersey Transit Office of Customer Advocate.
The bill, S-2917, repeals the current requirement that NJ Transit employ a customer advocate and instead establishes a three-member Rider Advocacy Commission, which would appoint a Rider Advocate to lead an independent Office of Customer Advocate.
“South Jersey commuters have far fewer NJ Transit options than other parts of the state, and riders deserve a stronger voice in shaping service improvements,” state Sen. Michael Testa, R-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland, sponsor of the measure, said in a release. “This bill is a critical step toward ensuring that NJ Transit listens to riders and takes meaningful action to improve bus and rail service, especially for our region.”
Under the legislation, the office would hold monthly public meetings to gather rider feedback and relay concerns to NJ Transit’s board of directors and executive management. The office would also allow customers to submit input at any time through a dedicated website and voicemail system. An annual report detailing the office’s activities and findings would be submitted to the governor and the legislature.
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