Monday marked the first day of public hearings for New Jersey Transit as passengers could potentially see a 15% hike in fares if the board votes in favor of the proposal.

It's also the final day for public hearings on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s congestion pricing plan, leaving drivers to pay $15 to enter Manhattan.

"This is what I call greed-flation, and they're on the bandwagon," said Joe Versaggi of the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers.

Versaggi is gearing up to speak in front of the NJ Transit board on Friday in Newark on behalf of the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers.

The agency will hold several public hearings across the state this week, giving commuters the chance to weigh in on the proposed fare hikes.

NJ Transit says the hike is needed to fulfill a $107 million shortfall.

If the board votes in favor.. the increase starts July 1. It'll also mean increases of 3% each year starting July of 2025.

"Anybody who can.. will get off the system and drive," said Versaggi.

But - will they?

The MTA held its final public hearing on congestion pricing Monday - and Gov. Phil Murphy weighed in expressing his concerns over how the tolling system would impact residents in New Jersey.

"This is an incredibly ill-conceived plan - and it is not frankly about congestion or the environment. It is a means to solve the deficit at the [MTA]," said Murphy.

The MTA says their plan would reduce the number of cars entering the area and would generate enough money to modernize public transportation.

But with tolls increasing to $15, Murphy says not only will it be a financial disaster as commuters toll-shop, but it'll also be an environmental disaster across the northern part of the state.

"It will displace the pollution and it challenges the environment simply from the Central Business District in Manhattan to Hudson and Bergen counties in New Jersey," said Murphy.

He says it's ultimately unacceptable and hopes the MTA will come to the table to try and find some common ground.

The new pricing plan is set to start in June.

The MTA will continue to accept written comments until March 11.

As for NJ Transit, one can attend any of the public hearings throughout this week in multiple locations across the state, ending in Newark on Friday.