The following is a statement from Christina M. Renna, president & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey:

“While the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) respects the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s (BLET) opposition to the recently proposed contract, we oppose any proposal that would result in an increase to the Corporate Transit Fee (CTF) due to the disproportionate and inequitable burden it places on South Jersey businesses. 

The current demands by BLET, if accepted, would add $1.36 billion in costs to NJ TRANSIT and taxpayers over five years. Meeting these demands would require one of three unacceptable outcomes: a 27 percent increase to the Corporate Transit Fee, deep service cuts across the state, or a 17 percent fare hike for riders. None of these options are tenable, especially not in South Jersey, where transit service is already limited and now faces further disruption due to this impasse. 

Last year, the New Jersey business community stepped up to support public transit through recent increases to the CTF, which was especially unjust to South Jersey-based businesses given the lack of comprehensive transit services across the region. Asking employers to shoulder even more of the cost, especially in the absence of meaningful service expansion in South Jersey, is both unfair and unsustainable.

Although the CCSNJ respects the union negotiation process, further increase to the Corporate Transit Fee is not a viable solution. It would unfairly penalize employers, threaten job creation, and undercut regional economic growth. We urge all parties to come to a resolution that preserves services and does not further burden the business community.”