Transportation

This bill establishes a pilot program allowing solar energy projects on state and local government-owned roadside rights-of-way (land adjacent to roads, 30-100 feet from the road centerline) in New Jersey. Projects must not exceed 10 megawatts individually, with a total program cap of 200 megawatts, and must avoid disrupting traffic, safety, or road maintenance. The Board of Public Utilities, with input from the Transportation Commissioner, will review applications based on criteria like safety monitoring, environmental impact, and project size, requiring permits before construction. The pilot runs for 36 months, with possible two 12-month extensions (max 50 megawatts increase per extension) to evaluate outcomes.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit to publish monthly performance data on its website for rail, light rail, and bus services. The new reporting mandates include details on service cancellations and their specific causes, such as staffing shortages or equipment failures, alongside metrics for on-time performance and vehicle reliability. By making this information publicly available, the legislation aims to provide commuters with clearer insights into how the transit system is operating. The act does not alter existing annual reporting requirements but adds a more frequent, detailed layer of transparency to the agency's operational updates.

This bill creates a system for New Jersey Transit (NJT) to use camera-equipped buses to enforce parking violations that block bus lanes, bus stops, or bicycle lanes. It authorizes NJT to issue citations based on recorded images of vehicles parked illegally in these zones (e.g., stopping in a dedicated bus lane or bicycle lane), after staff review. Key provisions require cameras to be visibly marked on buses, images to be stored securely for up to six months only if evidence of a violation exists, and strict rules against using facial recognition. The policy directly affects drivers who park illegally in these areas and gives them a limited process to contest citations (e.g., if the vehicle was a school bus or emergency vehicle).

This bill prohibits the $0.50 surcharge on rideshare trips that are designated for paratransit service, which includes transportation for people with disabilities and Medicaid non-emergency medical transport. It directly affects users of apps like Uber and Lyft who rely on these services for accessibility needs, ensuring they are not charged the extra fee required for regular prearranged rides. The legislation also clarifies that transportation network companies are not personally liable for these specific paratransit trips. By amending existing state laws, the bill removes the financial barrier for eligible riders while maintaining the surcharge for standard rides.