This plan has really gone awry.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation’s new ticketing policy has caused some serious chaos at Penn Station. Passengers now face a hectic rush-hour bottleneck on the stairs leading to the platforms, having to show their tickets one by one, as reported.
Videos circulating on social media highlight the frenzy where passengers swarm a single New Jersey Transit employee, who scans tickets at the platform entrance instead of on the train. This change is part of a fare evasion prevention strategy that the New Jersey Transit Authority implemented on October 9.
A representative from the New Jersey Department of Transportation stated, “This approach helps ensure appropriate fare collection, especially during peak weekday travel when ridership is highest.” When asked about the overcrowding issues, they mentioned, “Safety remains our top priority, and the pilot was designed and conducted with that in mind.”
They insisted on their commitment to improving fare collection and compliance as they move forward.
Interestingly, this pilot seems to have stemmed from complaints about overcrowded rush-hour trains, making it difficult for conductors to collect tickets. Some commuters have voiced concerns, saying the new approach just shifts congestion from the train to the platform.
27-year-old Swati Parel shared her frustrations, noting the recent cancellations affecting her travel. Due to ticketing issues, she’s said she’s missed the train numerous times. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching in New Jersey, she worries the situation might only worsen, adding, “We know for sure that everyone is trying to get to their destination.”
Another passenger, Anora Hamilton, chimed in, joking, “Going down the stairs is insane. It’s just going to hold everyone back.” Judy Ramirez, a 46-year-old rider, expressed her discontent, saying, “This policy has made it harder for me to get my kids home.” Maurice Warren Jr., 28, agreed that crowding has significantly escalated since the change was put in place.
One commuter described the chaos, recalling how conductors felt overwhelmed by frustrated passengers demanding entry to the train.
This new policy follows a month filled with delays for New Jersey Transit. There was even a particularly frustrating Friday afternoon when service was suspended due to issues in a tunnel under the Hudson River. A winter storm in January led to further disruption, with trains operating under an “inclement weather” schedule.
The company is also planning to raise fares by 3% annually after a more significant increase in 2024; they already boosted prices last summer.
Despite the challenges, officials at the New Jersey Department of Transportation defended the fare evasion ticketing initiative, pointing out that similar practices were already in place at Penn Station for LIRR operations.
However, even within the department, the new plan has faced criticism. One unnamed employee expressed frustration, saying, “People hate it. That creates a bottleneck. People want to get on the train, get a seat, and then hand over their tickets.” They suggested that discontented passengers should write a letter to customer service to voice their concerns.
