Running New Jersey Transit might just be the ultimate no thank you job. It’s a thankless balancing act, and Kris Kolluri is stepping up to the plate. As of this week, Kolluri has officially taken over as chief executive of the much criticized agency. Handpicked by Governor Phil Murphy, Kolluri faces what might be his biggest career challenge yet: convincing long-suffering commuters that the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t just another stalled train.
Kolluri isn’t new to New Jersey’s transit drama. He previously served as commissioner of the state’s Department of Transportation and oversaw the ambitious $16 billion Gateway tunnel project under the Hudson River. But this new gig is a different beast. Riders, fresh off another summer of delays and breakdowns, are beyond frustrated. Just this week, signal problems left commuters stranded for up to an hour during rush hour.
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And the clock is ticking. With just one year left in Governor Murphy’s term, Kolluri has 12 months to deliver tangible improvements or at least a few glimmers of hope.
But let’s be clear: no one’s expecting miracles. In an interview, Kolluri played it safe, focusing on modest goals like cleaner stations and better maintenance of older trains. “I’m not looking for accolades,” he said. “I like these kinds of challenges, and I will put my heart and soul into this assignment. But I’m just trying to do my job.”
Some transit advocates are cautiously optimistic. They’re hoping Kolluri might emulate Andy Byford, the so called “Train DON” of New York City’s subway system. Byford won over riders by actually riding the subway himself and making noticeable improvements in just two years. Zoe Baldwin of the Regional Plan Association even sees potential. “Kris is good at people,” she said. “He absolutely has Train DON potential.”
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But let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t just about charisma. New Jersey Transit’s problems are rooted in decades of underfunding and neglect. Even with a new corporate surtax to help bridge next year’s $800 million budget gap, the agency still faces significant challenges. Riders have already been hit with a 15% fare hike this year, and another 3% increase is scheduled for 2025. How far can good intentions really stretch?
Then there’s the labor front. The agency is locked in a long-running dispute with its engineers’ union, and a strike threat is looming. President Biden recently intervened, ordering a report on the matter that’s due just weeks after Kolluri officially starts. Add to that a host of technical and operational hurdles, and it’s clear that the road or track ahead won’t be smooth.
But let’s give credit where it’s due. Kolluri’s predecessor, Kevin Corbett, steered the agency through some major milestones, like implementing automatic braking systems and hiring more engineers to prevent service disruptions. Kolluri will need to build on that progress while navigating an agency still struggling to shake its reputation for unreliability.
It’s a tall order, but Kolluri seems undeterred. Maybe he’s not aiming to be anyone’s “Train DON,” but New Jersey’s commuters would probably settle for “Train Capo” someone who shows up, fixes what’s broken, and gets the job done. If Kolluri can manage even that, he might just leave a lasting legacy.
For now, though, the trains are still late, the riders are still grumpy, and New Jersey Transit’s future remains as unpredictable as ever. Hang tight, New Jersey this ride is far from over.
