New Jersey’s transportation woes are set to be paired with a fragrance—lavender has been selected as the official scent for cleaning products within the transit system, according to CEO Chris Corulli. This decision comes as part of a bid to refresh the state’s aging transit services.
However, frequent travelers like Ronald D., 40, expressed skepticism. He questioned the need for a new scent when the primary focus should be on ensuring trains run on time. “Can we sort out punctuality before we dive into aromatherapy?” he said, clearly frustrated.
Another passenger, opting to remain anonymous, echoed these concerns. They pondered how a pleasant fragrance would contribute to the reliability of train schedules. “No transit system is more something than Newark Penn. It smells nice like Bath & Body Works. Next thing you know, we’ll get eucalyptus mist during rush hour,” they joked.
This backlash sharply contrasted with Corulli’s rather enthusiastic comments during a meeting with Governor Mikie Sherrill, who unveiled a “rapid action plan” aimed at improving the frequently dirty and unreliable rail and bus systems. Corulli expressed his enthusiasm for lavender, sharing his love for lavender detergent that crews use throughout Newark’s Penn Station.
The governor expressed hopes that this fragrance initiative could extend to other stations. The wider plan also includes reinvigorating the New Jersey Transit app, investing in GPS technology for real-time train tracking, setting up a “real-time crime center,” enhancing Wi-Fi on buses, and increasing cleaning measures across the board.
While many riders welcomed the proposed upgrades, they were less than enthusiastic about the scent strategy. “This distracts from the main issue—the trains need to arrive on time,” noted Brian R., 35, who took a critical stance. “I couldn’t care less about the smell, as long as I reach my destination without delay.”
Nick Cote, a regular user, pointed out that delays and construction, not the scent, are the primary concerns for the New Jersey Department of Transportation. “To be honest, I’m not sure anything changes due to this move. It feels more like a band-aid solution, with deeper funding and structural issues at play,” he remarked.
That said, some passengers did have soft spots for particular scents. Ms. Cote expressed a preference for lavender combined with vanilla. “I think that would be nice,” she mentioned.
In a twist of positivity, one frequent rider positively noted, “I like lavender. It’s a nice scent,” though she chose not to disclose her name. “The trains are usually quite clean and have a pleasant smell.”
