Bill Text: NJ A4215 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires Commissioner of Transportation to arrange for provision of free public transportation for individuals age 75 and older.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-06-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A4215 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A4215-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ROY FREIMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman PAUL D. MORIARTY
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen McKnight and Carter
SYNOPSIS
Requires Commissioner of Transportation to arrange for provision of free public transportation for individuals age 75 and older.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the provision of public transportation services and amending P.L.1973, c.126.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 3 of P.L.1973, c.126 (C.27:1A-66) is amended to read as follows:
3. The Commissioner of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to establish and implement a program to provide motor bus and rail passenger service for senior citizens during offpeak times and to provide motor bus and rail passenger service for senior citizens age 65 and older, persons with disabilities, and all disabled veterans at all times bus or rail service is offered, on regular routes of carriers within the State or between points in this State and points in adjacent states at one-half of the regular adult rates of fare, except that the reduced fare shall not be available to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, or disabled veterans traveling on commuter railroad trains operated during peak times which have been designated by the New Jersey Transit Corporation as ineligible for round trip excursion fares. The commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to establish and implement a program to provide motor bus and rail passenger service free of charge for senior citizens age 75 and older at all times motor bus or rail passenger service is offered on regular routes of carriers within the State or between points in this State and points in adjacent states. The commissioner may take any action that the commissioner deems necessary to implement [this program] the programs under this section, including contracts with carriers for the provision of transportation services under [this program] these programs, purchase of regular tickets and resale to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and disabled veterans at one-half the ordinary fare or free of charge, as applicable, or direct payments to carriers for services provided to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and disabled veterans under [this program] these programs. Where carriers may be entitled to receive or do receive funds from sources other than the Department of Transportation for the provision of service to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and disabled veterans, reimbursement payments which may be made by the Department of Transportation to the carriers may be adjusted accordingly.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.131, s.108)
2. Section 4 of P.L.1973, c.126 (C.27:1A-67) is amended to read as follows:
4. In establishing [this program] these programs, the commissioner shall, after consulting with the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Director of the Division of Aging Services in the Department of Human Services, and the Board of Public Utilities, establish uniform procedures for:
a. Determining the eligibility of persons to receive the reduced fares or motor bus and rail passenger service free of charge, as applicable, provided pursuant to P.L.1973, c.126 (C.27:1A-64 et seq.), which shall include those persons determined by the New Jersey Transit Corporation to be eligible for its Access Link service;
b. Making reduced fares and free-of-charge motor bus and rail passenger service available to eligible persons; and
c. Auditing and accounting to insure that no carrier receives payments in excess of the value of services actually rendered to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and disabled veterans pursuant to P.L.1973, c.126 (C.27:1A-64 et seq.).
(cf: P.L.2020, c.64, s.2)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to establish a program to provide motor bus and rail passenger service free of charge for senior citizens age 75 and older at all times these services are offered on regular routes of carriers within the State or between points in this State and points in adjacent states.
