SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2917

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 2, 2026

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2917.

      As reported, this bill establishes a Rider Advocacy Commission (commission) in, but not of, the Department of Transportation.  The commission is to consist of three members, one member appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly.  Under the bill, each member is limited to a five-year term, except that of the members first appointed, the member appointed by the Governor is to be appointed for a one-year term, the member appointed by the President of the Senate is to be appointed for a two-year term, and the member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly is to be appointed for a three-year term.  The bill authorizes the commission to engage and dismiss staff as the commission deems necessary to carry out its duties.

      In addition, the bill requires the commission to establish a New Jersey Transit Office of Customer Advocate (office), which is to be responsible for investigating, monitoring, advocating, promoting, and advising on all customer-experience matters pertaining to the operation of the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT).  Under the bill, the Rider Advocate, which is to serve as the head of the office, is to be appointed by the commission and is required to report directly to the commission.  The bill authorizes the Rider Advocate to carry out the purposes of the office, including, with the approval of the commission, temporarily retaining expert assistants as are necessary to protect the interests of NJT customers when exceptional circumstances arise.  

      Under the bill, the office is responsible for:  (1) providing information and analysis to the NJT board of directors (NJT board), Governor, and Legislature concerning the actual or anticipated impact of any NJT board or NJT actions on NJT customers; (2) providing customer input and feedback to the NJT board, Governor, and Legislature, including relaying the needs and concerns of customers to the NJT board, Governor, and Legislature; and (3) representing the interests of NJT customers, as outlined in the bill.

      In addition, the bill authorizes the office to conduct investigations, initiate studies, conduct research, present comments and testimony before the NJT board, legislative committees, and other governmental bodies, prepare and issue reports, and undertake other actions in furtherance of the purposes of the office.  The office is to permit public input concerning NJT’s operations and customer experiences to be submitted via the office’s Internet website and voicemail.  The bill further requires the office to conduct at least one monthly meeting with NJT customers, during which customers are to be provided with updates concerning any major actions of the NJT or the NJT board of which the Rider Advocate has knowledge.

      The bill provides that funds for the commission’s and the office’s expenses are to be provided by the State Treasurer, as appropriated by the Legislature, and are to be independent of funds appropriated to NJT.  Additionally, the bill requires the commission, in consultation with the Rider Advocate, to prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature concerning the commission’s and office’s activities during the prior calendar year.

      Finally, the bill repeals a section of law requiring the NJT to employ a customer advocate.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.