Before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority took a final vote on congestion pricing, it’s CEO detailed a program that addresses a major rider concern, helping homeless people in the subway system who have mental health disorders or are homeless.
The idea isn’t new. NJ Transit police have had an outreach program since before the COVID pandemic, which works with community social services to talk to homeless people in the system’s train stations and pairs them with social services to address their needs.
There are contrasts between two programs. NJ Transit’s program relies on a person voluntarily accepting social services. The MTA has a similar voluntarily component, except in extreme cases where a person deemed to be a danger to themselves or the public can be involuntarily sent for treatment.
