Thanks to all who have signed this petition so far. We got a big endorsement from the Star-Ledger Editorial Board today, but based on the statements from the agency included in many of the news stories on the "mask car" proposal, it's still not clear that NJ Transit necessarily understands that this proposal is about providing a single "mask car" on each train, rather than "to extend" the mandate that has been lifted.
With that in mind, if you can, please make a public comment during the NJ Transit Operations and Customer Service Committee meeting this Friday, April 29th at 9:00 AM, to explain what we want and why the proposal matters to you. You can do it by phone or attend the meeting in person. Public comments usually come at the beginning of the meeting and there is no need to stay past the time of your remarks.
How to Participate at the Next NJ Transit Board Committee Meeting
If attending in person: The meeting will be held in the board room on the 9th Floor at One Penn Plaza East, Newark, NJ 07105, this Friday, April 29th, at 9:00 a.m. Be sure to get there early to allow sufficient time for the security screening.
If participating via phone: Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday 4/29, call 800-346-7359 and give the conference entry code (701939) to the operator. Once the operator connects you to the meeting, dial *1 to enter the queue.
NJ Transit give priority to those who pre-register for the meeting by tomorrow, April 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Please note that you can make a public comment even if you do not pre-register. You will have two (2) minutes to make your comment.
I recommend practicing your speech with a timer ahead of the meeting to prepare.
- More info about participating in the committee meeting: https://d2g63oyneaimm8.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/board/Committee%20Agendas/notice/Committee_Meeting_Notice_4-29-2022.pdf
- Meeting agenda: https://d2g63oyneaimm8.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/board/Committee%20Agendas/Administration/NJT_Administration_Committee_Meeting_Agenda-4-29-2022.pdf
The deadline for pre-registration is tomorrow morning, April 28th, at 9:00 a.m. Again, you can still make a public comment even if you do not pre-register.
If you cannot attend the meeting: You can use this form to provide the board with a written comment.
Why Your Participation Is Critical
Larry Higgs of NJ Advance Media reported on this today, and the statement from a NJ Transit spokesman does not make it clear that NJ Transit understands that we're asking for a single "mask car" on trains to be evaluated, not an extension of the mask mandate that has already been lifted. Please call into or attend Friday's meeting and tell the NJ Transit board members on the committee what we want and why having the option of a "mask car" is important to you.
We have a lot of great momentum with this proposal. The vast majority of you have signed since yesterday afternoon. We've gone from about 36 supporters at noon yesterday to 113 supporters as I write this. In addition to the Larry Higgs article, 1010 WINS covered the petition yesterday, and the Star-Ledger Editorial Board gave the idea a resounding endorsement. Making a public comment at this week's Operations and Customer Service Committee meeting is the next key step in keeping the push going.
What Else You Can Do
Contact your state legislators, county commissioners and local elected officials. If they know this issue matters to their constituents, their offices will push NJ Transit to give "mask cars" a real chance. Don't underestimate the power of contacting your mayors and council members, in particular.
Thank you again for your support.
- Adam