Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Requires private bus operators that participate in NJT bus lease program, receive State funds, or are under contract with NJT to provide notice and hold public hearings for certain service changes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning requirements for certain private bus operators and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Each private entity that operates regular route motorbus service, as that term is defined in section 3 of P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-3), or portions or functions thereof, and that also participates in the New Jersey Transit Corporation's bus lease program, is a recipient of State funds, regardless of whether those funds are received through the corporation or through another instrumentality of the State, or operates such service pursuant to a contract with the corporation shall:
(1) provide at least six months written notice to the service's customers prior to the substantial curtailment, as that term is defined in section 8 of P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-8), of such service; and
(2) hold at least one public hearing in the affected area, as close as possible to the highest trafficked stop on the route, prior to implementing the substantial curtailment of such service.
b. A private entity that is determined to be in violation of subsection a. of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, in addition to any penalties that may be available pursuant to law.
c. The New Jersey Transit Corporation shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section and shall take any action necessary to ensure that private entities are in compliance with the provisions of subsection a. of this section.
d. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit the New Jersey Transit Corporation or any other instrumentality of the State from conditioning participation in any program, receipt of funds, or entry into a contractual agreement on notice and public hearing requirements that are more onerous than the requirements provided in this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires a private entity that operates regulator route motorbus service, or portions or functions thereof, and that also participates in the New Jersey Transit Corporation's (NJ Transit) bus lease program, is a recipient of State funds, or operates the service pursuant to a contract with NJ Transit to: (1) provide at least six months written notice to its customers prior to substantial curtailment of the service; and (2) hold at least one public hearing in the affected area, as close as possible to the highest trafficked stop on the route, prior to implementing the substantial curtailment.
A private entity that is found to be in violation of the bill is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, which is to be in addition to any penalties that may be available pursuant to law.
The bill requires NJ Transit to adopt rules and regulations to implement the bill and requires NJ Transit to take any action necessary to ensure that private entities are in compliance with the bill's provisions.