
I usually arrive at the Track 1 waiting room at Newark Penn Station at 4:15 PM to catch the 4:22 to NYC. There have been panhandlers in this waiting room 5 out of the first 6 working days of the year so far. Today a derelict was making the rounds of the waiting room not getting any donations. He boarded the train when it arrived. As the trained pulled out of the station the conductor started to walk down the aisles checking tickets. He intentionally passed by this homeless person and checked everyone else’s ticket. Either he was lazy or just very timid and was afraid to confront this individual. I have seen fare evaders thrown off the train at the next station or even arrested.
I pay $152 per month to ride from NYC to Newark. Maybe I should dress like a homeless person and ride for free. I still say that NJ Transit, Amtrak, and Metro North should adopt automated fare collection methods, but that will never happen. I guess that union pressure is preserving antiquated jobs.
So if you don’t have money to pay your fare NJ Transit is the Way to Go.