The cost of living is becoming a rising issue among students. New Jersey Transit implemented a 3% fare increase on July 1, 2025, following last year’s larger 15% hike. According to NJ Spotlight News, the July adjustment was the first under a new state policy that establishes automatic annual fare increases every July going forward, meaning another rate change is expected in summer 2026. NJ Transit’s public guidance states the adjustment applies across rail, bus, and light rail services.
With finals week ending on Dec. 16, 2025, and winter break approaching, many Monmouth University students are preparing to travel home or visit family across New Jersey and New York City. For some, public transportation, especially NJ Transit, plays a role in those plans, whether for regular commuting or occasional trips.
At Monmouth, student reliance on NJ Transit varies. Some students use the system frequently to travel home or reach New York City, while others use it only a few times a year or not at all. Driving factors depend on convenience, cost, and personal preference. With fare increases becoming annual, students shared how transportation costs factor into their planning for winter break and the semester ahead.
Freshman musical theater major Layla Kuya said she uses NJ Transit “at least once a week,” mostly for trips home and into New York City. When asked if fare increases changed how she travels, she said, “A little bit. Things that are further distance I don’t mind, if it’s closer, I use Uber, which is still expensive.”
She added that cost does not reduce her usage because she does not have a car, and that she expects to use NJ Transit more over winter break. “I don’t think it’s affordable for students. Even with the student discount, it’s not all that helpful. I have a friend who pays $300 a month for a ticket pass,” she said.
Monmouth University participates in NJ Transit’s University Partnership Program, which, according to the university website, offers full-time students a 25% discount on monthly passes. However, this discount primarily benefits daily commuters, while students who travel less frequently continue to pay standard rates for single or occasional trips.
For other students, rising transportation costs, whether from NJ Transit fares or rideshare services, shape how they choose to get around. Some say cost influences whether they take the train, carpool, or rely on Uber or Lyft for group trips or late-night travel.
Senior political science major and Delta Phi Epsilon president Jackie Tamburrino said she takes NJ Transit into New York City “at least once a month,” often for trips and events with members of her sorority. “So a lot of us will stop using trans. It’s also harder to get funds (someone missed a shift, etc.). It trickles down into what we want to do, how we do it. For example, we can’t do these extravagant trips anymore; we used to, we had to downgrade for everyone to be a part of it,” she said.
Tamburrino said the cost of round-trip tickets affects where students choose to go. “If it’s a higher price for a round trip, we say, ‘y’know what, let’s go somewhere else,’” she said. She added that winter break will likely increase usage for students who rely on NJ Transit to get home. “It’s gonna be worse now over the break when they have no choice to use transit. I don’t think the increase is affordable for students,” she said.
As students leave campus for the holidays, affordability remains a factor in how some plan their trips. With automatic annual fare adjustments now in place, NJ Transit riders can expect costs to continue shifting heading into 2026.
